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“ There goes ‘ Old Faithful ’ ! ” 


Page 288 






FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


HOW THEY WENT 

AND 

WHAT THEY DID 

% 

r 

¥ 

BY 

EVERETT T. TOMLINSON 

AUTHOR OF “the BOY SOLDIERS OF 1812,” “THE BOYS WITH 
OLD HICKORY,” “ TECUMSEIl’s YOUNG BRAVES,” “CAMP- 
ING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE,” “ THE HOUSE BOAT ON 
THE ST. LAWRENCE,” “THE RIDER OF THE BLACK 
HORSE,” “THE RED CHIEF,” “WARD HILL 
AT WESTON,” “ THE WINNER,” ETC., ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED BY H. C. EDWARDS 




BOSTON 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 


HBSARY cf CONGRF.^ 
T'A/n Cpoles Received 

■JUL 27 1906 

Cooyiitfilt Entry * 

yh 



\ 


b 


Copyright, 1906, 

By LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 


All Rights Reserved. 


Four Boys in the Yellowstone. 


NorinootJ ^^ress 

J. S. Cushing & Co. — Berwick & Smith Co. 
Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. 


PREFACE 


SuKELY for Young Americans, whatever may 
be the advantages of travel in Europe, — ad- 
vantages which the writer in no way attempts 
to belittle, — there is special need of an appre- 
ciation of the vastness, the beauty, and grandeur 
of the land of their birth. If America’s rocks 
and rills and vales and templed hills are to be 
loved, not only must their praises be sung, but 
they themselves must be seen and known. 

In this account of the experiences of ^^Four 
Boys in the Yellowstone,” the writer has en- 
deavored not only to tell a story, but also to 
arouse an interest among his readers in some 
of their own marvellous possessions. Yellow- 
stone Park, as all know, belongs to the nation. 
Above the beautiful arch at the entrance to the 
wonderful region is carved in stone — ^^For the 

BENEFIT AND ENJOYMENT OF THE PEOPLE.” 


3 


4 


PREFACE 


If pleasure shall be found in reading this story 
and an increased interest and pride in “their 
own, their native land ” shall be created among 
its readers, the writer will feel that his purpose 
has been accomplished. 

EVEEETT T. TOMLINSON. 


Elizabeth, N.J. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

I. 

The Cardinals . 

, 




PAGE 

9 

II. 

A Discussion 

. 




21 

III. 

Perplexing Problems 

. 




33 

IV. 

Two Travellers, and a Third 




45 

V. 

Left 





57 

VI. 

The Meeting at Buffalo 





69 

VII. 

Niagara .... 





81 

VIII. 

On Lake Erie . 





93 

IX. 

An Alarm .... 





105 

X. 

On Shore .... 





117 

XI. 

Wild “Bores” . 





130 

XII. 

A Game of Baggatiway . 





142 

XIII. 

The Departure from Mackinac 




154 

XIV. 

Near Marquette’s Monument 




165 

XV. 

A Loss .... 





177 

XVI. 

At the Head of the Lakes 





188 

XVII. 

Across the Prairies 





200 

XVIII. 

Sioux and Cheyennes 





212 

XIX. 

The Entrance . 





224 

XX. 

Hot Springs 





236 

XXI. 

On the Coach . 





248 


6 


6 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

XXII. 

A Hot Bath .... 



PAGE 

. 261 

XXIII. 

Strange Sights 



. 273 

XXIV. 

Old Faithful . . • . 



. 286 

XXV. 

At the Thumb 



. 299 

XXVI. 

The Ride across the Lake 



. 312 

XXVII. 

Bruin Appears 



. 325 

XXVIII. 

On the Brink 



. 337 

XXIX. 

Two Exciting Experiences . 



. 319 

XXX. 

Above the Clouds 



. 362 

XXXI. 

Tricked 



. 375 

XXXII. 

Homeward Bound . 



. 387 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


“ There goes Old Faithful I ” (Page 288) Frontispiece 

PAGE 

“ Here he is now,” exclaimed John .... 109 

The canoes darted forward almost with the speed 

OF THE WIND 170 

His enemy, with blazing eyes and open jaws, was 

IN FULL PURSUIT 331 

The young giant had swept her back close to the 

RAIL 351 

In DESPERATION LaRCUM FLUNG HIS ARMS AROUND 

the animal’s neck 362 


7 


FOUE BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


CHAPTER I 

THE CARDINALS 

^^Jack, that name looks good on the printed 
programme. I congratulate you. ^John Adams 
Field, Jr.' You don't often hear a more high- 
sounding name than that." 

^^I'm afraid the name isn't the real measure of 
the man," replied John Field to his friend, Lar- 
cum Brown, with a light laugh. The latter was 
holding in his hand the printed statement of the 
closing exercises of the school year at Wendell 
Academy, and both boys were members of the 
class which was about to be graduated. 

Waledictory — John Adams Field, Jr.'" con- 
tinued Larcum, reading aloud. That's pretty 
good, I take it ! You won't be receiving epistles 
from home like those which have been coming to 
me of late from my parental domicile bidding 


10 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


me to ‘do better/ and ‘work harder/ and ‘make 
a name for myself/ and all that. When I was 
at home for the Easter vacation, my mother one 
night, when we were at the dinner table, suggested 
to me that I should emulate the worthy example 
of my father, and graduate at the head of my 
class as he did. You know. Jack, my father was 
a Wendell boy, too. He fitted for college here.’^ 

“Yes, I know,^^ responded John. “What did 
you tell your mother?’’ As Larcum Brown was 
known as a student whose prowess on the athletic 
field was much greater than in the classroom, and 
he never studied, as he himself expressed it, unless 
he had to, the smile on John’s face as he asked the 
question was in no way irritating to his friend. 

“Why,” drawled Larcum, “I told her she was 
the best little mother in all this land, and I’d do 
anything in my power for her — except that. 
There were imperative reasons why I was com- 
pelled to decline her invitation, though I did it 
with thanks and the most complete sense of the 
honor she had done me by the suggestion.” 

“What did your father say?” inquired John, 
lightly. 

“What did he say? Why, he didn’t say any- 
thing. He just laughed.” Larcum’s manner 


THE CARDINALS 


11 


was so serious that his friend was compelled to 
laugh too. don’t see anything about that 
that’s so terribly funny,” continued Larcum. 

don’t know why it is that whatever I say 
or whatever I do, I always seem to provide my 
friends with a great store of amusement.” 

^^You can’t help that, Larc,” exclaimed John. 
^^It’s the way you’re made.” 

^^Am I any different from — from you or any 
of the Cardinals? Oh, yes, I’m no Pharisee, 
but still I’m thankful I’m not just like some 
people I know. Now there’s Lee Harris,” he 
added, as the young man in question entered 
the room in which the two friends already re- 
ferred to were seated. ^H’m glad I’m not like 
him, for example.” 

^^You couldn’t be, suh, if you did your pret- 
tiest,” responded Lee, as he flung himself on the 
divan. ^^Jack,” he added, “1 congratulate you. 
It’s an honor worthily bestowed. To be the 
valedic in a class of sixty is not — ” 

^^Yes, Jack leads one end of the class, and you 
and I, Lee, are nip and tuck for the other end,” 
broke in Larcum. ^Hf you don’t look out, Lee, 
I shall be graduated — ” 

congratulate you,” interrupted Lee. don’t 


12 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


believe there is a fellow in Wendell Academy 
that ever would have believed it/^ 

^^Oh, the work’s all in, the certificates are all 
signed, and my name’s on the list. I saw it 
myself.” 

^^Was mine there?” inquired Lee, quickly. 

^^’Twas too much work to look so far down the 
line, so I can’t tell you. I didn’t get as far as ^ H.’ ” 

^‘Then I shall have to do that myself,” sighed 
Lee. 

^^Oh, you’re all right, Lee; you know you 
are,” said John, quickly. 

'^Yes, I know I am,” responded Larcum; ^^I’m 
not so sure, though, about Lee.” 

'^Well, whatever may be my shortcomings,” 
said Lee, ^^you can’t say the Cardinals haven’t 
done themselves proud. Here’s Jack is vale- 
dictorian of our class, and Scott Gordon is fourth 
man, and even if you and I, Larc, do bring up 
the rear guard, why, a rear guard is necessary. 
It’s a place of honor. There was a gentleman 
named Clearchus who held that position in the 
march of the ten thousand — ” 

^ ^ Sure ’twas Clearchus, Lee ? Wasn’t it Cyrus ? ” 
inquired Larcum. 

^Hf my memory serves me correctly, suh, his 


THE CARDINALS 


13 


name was Clearchus. I’ll leave it to our friend 
Jack here to decide.” 

never mind him,” said John. ^^Where’s 
Scott ? I sent for him to come over to my room, 
as Larc had something he wanted to say to us, 
and this was about the last time the Cardinals 
could get together.” 

He’ll be here all right. You needn’t worry 
about Scott, when I’ve got a proposition to make 
like the one I’m going to give the Cardinals,” 
said Larcum. 

^^Are you going to give it right soon?” inquired 
Lee. 

Just as soon as the points of the compass are 
complete,” said Larcum. ^^You might be willing 
to leave out the North, but we wouldn’t.” 

^H’d not leave out Scott Gordon for all the 
North or East either,” said Lee, warmly. '^To 
my mind, he’s — ” 

^^To your whatf^^ interrupted Larcum. 

^^To my mind, suh,” retorted Lee. do 
not wonder that the word strikes you with 
surprise. Is it the first time you ever heard 
it?” 

^^Yes, it’s the first time I ever heard it used in 
such a connection.” 


14 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Lee joined in the laughter of John at his friend^s 
thrust, and then said: say, fellows, I feel like 

I was leaving home to-day. I wish Scott would 
come. I want to see the old man before I go 
South. You know I have to leave right soon.’^ 
exclaimed Larcum. ^^You don’t mean 
that ! You are going to stay to Commencement, 
aren’t you?” 

^^Oh, thank you,” laughed Lee. fancied 
I was on the point of departure for the Southland, 
but since the leader of my class — he himself 
says leading is merely a matter of direction — 
tells me I am mistaken, why, I suppose I am. 
I suppose I am.” 

^^But I’ve got something to say,” protested 
Larcum. 

^'I’m mighty glad to hear it. It must be a 
decidedly novel experience to you,” said Lee. 

You’ll think it is when you hear it. Now be 
sober for a minute, fellows,” pleaded Larcum. 
^^Just think of us four. I don’t wonder the 
whole school called us the Cardinals. Here’s 
John Adams — he’s the Eastern representative. 
I think you said your home was in Boston?” 
and Larcum bowed low to his friend as he spoke. 

^^You are correct,” assented John. 


THE CARDINALS 


15 


^Tut it in the paper. It^ll be news to every- 
body that Larc Brown was for once in his life 
correct/^ suggested Lee. 

Never you mind that!” exclaimed Larcum. 
^^You listen to me, and you^ll learn something. 
To go on with the Cardinals — there^s Jack from 
the East, and Lee here — well, he tries to repre- 
sent the South. He does the best he can, so we 
mustnT be too hard with him. Then Scott is 
the Northern representative, and I^m from the 
West.” 

^^Very much so !” remarked Lee. 

^^Yes, and I^m proud of it, too !” retorted Lar- 
cum, turning to face his friend. 

^H^m not surprised. But permit me to in- 
quire how the West feels about it. Does the 
West reciprocate the feeling?” 

afraid you wouldnT understand.” 

^Ht looks like I wouldn't. That's so.” 

^ ^ Well, let me go on, ” pleaded Larcum . ^ ^ When- 
ever I think of the Cardinals, I'm fired with 
enthusiasm — ” 

^Wou'd be fired with still greater enthusiasm 
if I had my way,” interrupted Lee. 

For a moment, as even Larcum was compelled 
to join in the laugh that greeted Lee's words. 


16 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


it looked very much as if Larcum was about to 
roll his friend from the divan to the floor. As 
Lee was a dark-haired, black-eyed, slight fellow, 
and Larcum was a young giant, the best ^Hackle 
Wendell Academy had had in many years, the 
contest would have been somewhat uneven, but 
all danger was gone when John said quickly: — 

^^Here! none of that! IVe been working for 
days to get my room in shape for my visitors at 
Commencement, and you fellows aren’t going to 
have any ^ rough house’ here now, let me tell 
you !” 

There wouldn’t have been any rough house. 
I was only going to spank an impudent little 
boy,” explained Larcum, soberly. 

“He means he was about to try it,” suggested 
Lee. 

Once more there were signs of a friendly conflict, 
but peace was restored by John, who, being in the 
secret of the proposition Larcum was about to 
place before them, was eager for him to proceed. 

“I was saying,” began Larcum once more, 
“I was not surprised that the school has dubbed 
us the Cardinals, since we are supposed to repre- 
sent the four cardinal points of the compass. 
For three years now we’ve been together and 


THE CARDINALS 


17 


every one in his place — except Lee, who has done 
his best, and we must not be too sharp with him. 
And now — 

^^Now, here comes Scott the long-lost,^^ in- 
terrupted Lee, as the fourth member of the Car- 
dinals entered John^s room. The newcomer 
paused upon the threshold and gazed inquiringly 
at his friends. He it was who represented the 
North in the quartette, and his vigorous air, 
his well-knit and well-dressed frame, his general 
appearance, presented a sharp contrast not only 
with the burly frame of Larcum and the slighter 
physique of Lee, but to the serious and shrewd 
expression that appeared on John^s face. 

^^Have a chair, called Lee. ^^We were just 
discussing your name — ” 

was talking about the Cardinals,’^ broke in 
Larcum. ^^Your name, Scott, did come up half 
an hour ago, but that^s as near to being on time 
as Lee can be, I suppose.^^ 

^^What^s in a name, anyway?^’ inquired Scott, 
as he seated himself in one of the chairs, which 
he immediately tipped back against the wall. 

^Ht depends,^^ said Larcum. ^^Now I fancy 
Lee here is just about as much like Robert E. Lee 
as Jack is like John Adams.^^ 


18 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


'Tellows/^ said John, more soberly, ‘^do you 
know IVe been thinking about that a good deal 
lately? The truth is, every fellow is bound to 
make a name for himself whether he wants to 
or not, and it doesnT make a bit of difference 
what his given name is, either. The blackest 
man I ever saw was a darkey preacher named 
Adoniram Judson White. The shortest man in 
our class is Tom Long, and the dullest one is Joe 
Sharp. He wouldnT know an idea if it hit him 
squarely in the face. But we’re all like the 
Indians — we give names to one another that 
fit the man. It’s been the way of the world for- 
ever. When Jacob changed his nature, his name 
was changed to fit it. So was Saul’s name changed, 
and Simon’s. Just think of ^Stonewall’ Jackson, 
William the ^Silent,’ ^Fighting Joe’ Hooker. 
Why, we give names to almost every fellow in 
our class, and I tell you the names we give one 
another, though no one knows them but ourselves, 
are the names that really describe us — ” 

^^Yes, look at my name,” interrupted Larcum, 
ruefully. ^'The fellows all call me Larc. Now 
I’m just like a lark — anybody can see that. I’m 
always up early and I soar and sing — ” 

A shout of laughter interrupted the huge 


THE CARDINALS 


19 


tackle’s lament, butLarcum was not to be quieted. 

tell you it’s a shame, fellows, for a chap to 
have to take a name like mine just because it 
happened to be his mother’s maiden name. She 
ought to have had more consideration for my 
delicate feelings. I’m about as much like a 
^lark’ as Lee is like a general.” 

^^Oh, you needn’t worry,” suggested Lee. ^^It 
wasn’t that kind of a lark the fellows had in mind 
when they named you.” 

never thought of that,” said Larcum, 
solemnly, whereat the delight of his friends be- 
came still more marked. 

^^How is it with the names of the faculty. 
Jack?” inquired Scott. ^^You know they don’t 
all go exactly by the names and titles that appear 
in the catalogue.” 

think it’s the same way there,” replied John. 

Every man of them might do well to think 
pretty seriously over the names the boys have 
given them. I’ve been reading Tilgrim’s Prog- 
ress,’ and I’ve been interested in the names John 
Bunyan gave his heroes. There was Mr. Ready- 
to-Halt, Mr. Great-Heart, Mr. Slothful, and all 
the rest. It was the same way with him that 
it is with us and was with the wild Indians. 


20 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Every man gets the name he deserves, before 
he^s done with it. Some get the name of being 
^square/ and some ^straight/ and some 'crooked/ 
and some ' slippery.’ 

"Right you are, Jack,” responded Scott. "But 
what has all that to do with the proposition our 
Larc has got to make to us, I’d like to know?” 

"Nothing. But I’ll let him tell his story for 
himself,” replied John, and the eyes of all the boys 
were at once turned to their friend. 


CHAPTER II 

A DISCUSSION 

c 

SAY, fellows, began Larcum, in his most 
drawling of tones, which would you rather do, 
go abroad or have a trip in your own country?’^ 
For a moment his friends stared at the repre- 
sentative of the West, and then Scott said, ^Hs 
that what you got all the cardinal points together 
for? Just to ask that fool question 

^^For my part 1 think I^d prefer a trip to the 
moon,^^ suggested Lee. ^HVe always had a long- 
ing to see the ^ crater.^ I donT know, though, 
but I^d rather go to the planet Mars. The people 
there are said to be pretty queer, and I^d like 
to see some of their canals and things.’^ 

^^You neednT laugh, fellows, retorted Larcum. 
^^Far be it from me even to smile, said Scott, 
in mock seriousness. alarmed, I am. 

I^m afraid our friend Larc has been living so high 
21 


22 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


and studying so hard of late that he^s gone out 
of his head/^ 

^^That^s my fear, too,” suggested Lee. 
think we ought to hold him down and make a 
good search for the place through which he es- 
caped. It wouldn^t be very large, you know, 
and it might be a bit hard to find it; but if we 
could find it, we^d help him back into himself. 
Wouldn^t we, fellows?” 

^'You might try it,” retorted Larcum, grimly. 
‘‘1 tell you I may not know very much about his- 
tory and physics, but there are times when a 
knowledge of the science of football stands a man 
in good stead.” As he spoke, the young giant 
pushed back his huge shoulders and smiled grimly 
at his friends as if he was inviting them to attempt 
to test Lee’s suggestion. 

Science ’ ! ” exclaimed Lee. ^Science ! Sci- 
ence in football!’ I’d have you know there’s 
about as much science in football as there is in 
a prize ox at a county fair.” 

That’s all you know about it!” exclaimed 
Larcum, as his friends joined in the laugh that 
arose at Lee’s words. ^^I’ll leave it to you, 
fellows, if there’s a student in Wendell that yells 
louder or gets more excited at a football game than 


A DISCUSSION 


23 


Lee himself. Why, in the last game we had with 
the freshmen I couldn^t hear a sound on the grid- 
iron, Lee here was squealing so up on the bleach- 
ers. Perhaps he called it a yell, but — ” 

Never you mind, suh,” interrupted Lee. 
was interested in the science of the game.^^’ 
Science^? I thought you just said there 
wasn’t any science in football,” retorted Larcum, 
warmly. 

^^You are mistaken. There isn’t a game in 
all this land that is its equal for science, unless 
it’s bull-fighting.” 

^Bull-fighting ’ ? That’s just brute force. 
I never saw a bull-fight in my life, but from what 
I’ve heard it’s the most brutal thing going.” 

Right you are! It is the most brutal — ex- 
cept football. But what I meant was, that they 
both gave a great show for science — I mean, 
of course, the science of the surgeon.” 

^^Lee,” laughed John, ^^I’m afraid you’re a 
bit out of your head, too. That diet at Dr. Hale’s 
doesn’t seem to have agreedfwith you.” 

^Ht hasn’t, it hasn’t! And I can tell you, 
gentlemen, that I didn’t seek it of my own accord, 
either. My father is a good man, but he didn’t 
know what he was doing when he advised me to 


24 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


board with Dr. Hale for the last two months. 
Oh, I know he did it out of the kindest of motives. 
He thought if I went to live with the doctor, 
I^d become a bit more interested in my Latin and 
Greek, since Dr. Hale was the teacher. But it 
didn^t work. It wasn^t like he thought, suh. 
IVe had plenty of plain living and mighty little 
of the high thinking IVe heard so much about. 

^^Didn^t they feed you well?^^ inquired Scott, 
with a laugh. 

^^Well, that depends,^^ replied Lee, shrugging 
his shoulders. ^Terhaps the way they looked 
at it, it was all right, but it wasn^t exactly like — 
like what I should expect in such a family. 

^^Oh, you wanted fried chicken and hoecake 
every meal, that’s all,” said John. 

^^That would have been better. When you 
come down to my home. I’ll show you ! But 
these fishballs and baked beans of the East — ” 

“Didn’t they give you any steak, Lee ?” laughed 
Larcum. 

“Well, that depends. Yesterday morning they 
gave me a piece of what they called steak and I 
began to work upon it. If I’d been tackle on 
the football team, I might have made an impres- 
sion on it, but though I was doing my best, I 


A DISCUSSION 


25 


didn^t succeed very well in finding a vulnerable 
part. Finally Mrs. Hale seemed to be sorry for 
me, and she said, ^Mr. Harris, I’m afraid your 
meat isn’t very good. I paid twenty-five cents 
a pound for that steak.’” 

^^What did you say then, Lee?” inquired John, 
who was aware of his friend’s prejudice against 
what he termed ^^New England thrift.” 

^^What did I say?” retorted Lee, his eyes 
twinkling as he spoke. ^^Why, I just said, ^Mrs. 
Hale, that’s tough.’” 

A shout of laughter greeted the young South- 
erner’s words, and when a measure of quiet had 
been restored, Larcum said, ^^But you don’t 
answer my question, fellows.” 

^^Let me see. What was your question, Larc ?” 
inquired Scott, soberly. 

Which would you rather do — take a trip 
abroad or one in your own country?” 

^Hf you ask me,” replied Scott, ^H’d rather take 
one in my own country.” 

''You’ve been abroad, Scott. You’re no judge,” 
said John. 

"Yes, I’ve been abroad,” assented Scott, "but 
that may be just the reason why I am a judge.” 

"Didn’t you like it?” inquired John. 


26 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

^'Yes, I liked it, but I^d rather see my own 
country first. 

‘ 1 love thy rocks and rills ; 

Thy woods and templed hills.’ ” 

Scott hummed the words of the song and then 
turned to Lee, and said, ^'Now if I was like you 
and didn’t know any song but Dixie, I might feel 
differently about it, you see.” 

Dixie is all right!” retorted Lee, shortly, 
a slight flush appearing in his cheeks. 

^^Oh, yes, it’s all right. Everybody likes it. 
It’s a mighty stirring little tune, but then think 
of ^America’ I That’s got a dignity and a swing 
to it.” 

^^I’m not saying anything against 'America,’” 
insisted Lee, "but you’ll have to own up it’s 
only a plagiarism on 'God Save the King.’” 

"Here, you fellows, quit that, I say!” said 
Larcum, fearful that the friendly discussion was 
becoming a trifle too warm. "Tell me, Scott, 
why you say you’d rather travel in your own 
country first.” 

"Just because it is my country,” said Scott, 
eagerly. "I tell you this is the most wonderful 
land in all the world. I haven’t a bit of patience 


A DISCUSSION 


27 


with the people that always want to see some- 
thing else before theyVe even seen anything of 
their own. I tell you there are lots of men and 
women who go abroad and all they bring home 
with them is an aped English accent and two or 
three little French phrases. But just think of 
what we Ve got right here at home ! Did you ever 
see such mountains? Where in the world are 
there such rivers and plains ? Just see the wealth 
wehe getting out of our mines and digging out 
of our great farms ! No, sir ! give me America 
every time. And IVe never seen much of it, 
either,’^ he added lugubriously. 

^^Hear! Hear!^’ shouted Lee, in mock en- 
thusiasm. 

^‘1 think it all depends,^’ suggested John, 
seriously. ^^IVe never been abroad, and IVe 
never seen much of my own country, either. 
If one wants to see what man has done, he ought 
to go abroad. If iFs nature he wants, he can 
find plenty of it right here at home ! I think 
Scott is right about that.” 

^^^The proper study of mankind is man,^” said 
Lee, musingly. 

^^ThaFs not original. IVe heard that before,” 
retorted Larcum. 


28 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^IVe always thought I^d like to see the pic- 
tures in the galleries of the Old World/ ^ suggested 
John. ^^They^re Vay ahead of us on art.^^ 

^^Yes, I suppose they are/^ assented Scott. 
^^But, Jack, honestly, how many times have you 
been up to the Boston Museum? Do you go to 
the Metropolitan when you^re in New York?^^ 
have been to both places,^' replied John, 
with a smile. 

^^Yes, I suppose so. But usually it’s your 
man from Kalamazoo or Oshkosh, who makes a 
trip once in his lifetime to the city, that does the 
museums. It isn’t the man that lives right there 
and who can go any day he wants to. Only the 
trouble with him is that he doesn’t want to.” 

^^All the same, I should like to see those pic- 
tures,” asserted John. 

^^Oh, they’re great, I’m not denying that,” 
acknowledged Scott. ^^But it’s nature against 
art I’m talking about. And then, too, some of 
those old fellows made the most outlandish mis- 
takes too.” 

^^And waited all these years for you to correct 
them?” inquired Lee. 

^^I’m not trying to correct them,” retorted 
Scott, ignoring the laugh that arose at Lee’s 


A DISCUSSION 


29 


question, ^^but I know what I know, all the same. 
Why, I saw a painting of Tintoretto’s entitled 
^The Children of Israel gathering Manna,’ and he 
had every Israelite armed with a gun. Now 
what do you think of that?” he demanded. 

‘A think it was a good trick,” replied Lee. 
“They were troubled with hornets, weren’t they? 
Well, they could shoot the little pests.” 

“With guns? More than three thousand years 
before gunpowder was invented?” 

“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that,” said Lee, drolly, 
whereat every one laughed. 

“And then Cigoli painted Simeon with spec- 
tacles,” declared Scott. 

“Why didn’t he paint with brushes ? ” demanded 
Lee. “Weren’t they invented then, either?” 

“He had the spectacles on Simeon,” explained 
Scott. 

“Why not? He was an old man. He had a 
right to use spectacles, hadn’t he?” 

“A thousand years or so before they were in- 
vented?” 

“Oh,” murmured Lee, and his companions 
laughed again. 

“Then I saw in Berlin a picture of the Virgin 
and the Child listening to a violin.” 


30 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

harm in that, so far as I can see/^ suggested 
the irrepressible Lee. 

‘^And Diirer has a Roman soldier smoking a 
pipe in his painting of ^ Peter denying Christ.’ 
I wonder what Sir Walter Raleigh would have 
thought about that?” 

! but you know a lot about art and things, 
don’t you, Scott?” said Larcum, in mock surprise. 

^^No, I don’t, but I wish I did,” replied Scott. 

There’s a big difference between knowing the 
names of some artists and understanding or 
appreciating what they did.” 

^^I’m afraid you looked for the flaws and forgot 
to see the good things, Scott,” suggested John. 

^^No, I didn’t either. My aunt was along with 
me and she knows a lot about such things. She 
pointed out to me a good many things I’m glad 
now I saw. But what I mean is that I’d rather 
any day see a mountain than just a picture of 
a mountain. I’d rather see a great river like the 
Mississippi than see a little piece of canvas with 
a painted picture of water on it. I don’t care 
what the name of the artist is. See what I 
mean?” 

^^Yes, we see; but what’s that got to do with 
Larc’s question?” inquired Lee. 


A DISCUSSION 


31 


“Wait till I explain/^ said Larcum, quickly. 
“You know my father is a railroad man, don^t 
you?’^ 

“It^s not his son^s fault if we don^t,’^ assented 
Lee. 

“Well, he has written me that if I^d like to, 
we can take his private car this summer and have 
a trip over the Northern Pacific Railroad out to 
the Yellowstone Park. Of course he wouldn’t want 
me to take along any objectionable character 
and all that, and whoever went would have to 
behave himself, you understand.” 

“Larc, that’s great!” exclaimed Scott, en- 
thusiastically. 

“Is he going?” inquired Lee, quickly rising 
and pointing at Scott as he spoke. 

“He is,” replied Larcum. 

“Am I going?” demanded Lee. 

“That’s for you to say.” 

“For me to say? Well, I don’t know what 
to say. It’ll depend on the report of the secretary 
of the treasury — ” 

“Hold on ! You won’t have to consult him,” 
laughed Larcum. “This is my treat, or rather 
my father’s. We’ll have a private car, you see, 
all to ourselves. We’ll have everything sup- 


32 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


plied, — two men on the car, all we want to eat, 
no tickets; just a good time, and no frills either/' 

^^It's a great temptation, but I can't tell the 
tempter to get behind me this time," said Lee. 
^^In spite of all you say a few shekels will be 
necessary, I fancy. When I was home at Christ- 
mas, my father laughed and said if I didn't do 
better, he'd have to cut me off with a shilhng. 
I'll think I'll telegraph him now to send that shil- 
ling along. I may need it before we get out of 
the Yellowstone." 

^^All right. You won't need much more, 
though, for it's my treat, as I told you," laughed 
Larcum. ^^But that isn't all I want to say; 
I've got something else to propose, too." And 
his eager friends crowded about him to hear what 
he was about to say. 


CHAPTER III 


PERPLEXING PROBLEMS 

^^The suggestion I wish to make/’ resumed 
Larcum, ^'is that we should all meet in Buffalo 
and take a trip up the Great Lakes. I can arrange 
for our passage, and it’ll be a great trip ! We can 
take one of the steamers of the Anchor Line. 
Their boats are new and everything is first-class, 
and they stop at several places along the route, 
so that we can have a peep into some of our 
American cities, even if we can’t stop long enough 
to let all the towns honor us as we deserve. And 
then our car can meet us at Duluth. What do 
you say?” 

Larcum’s eagerness was as contagious as it 
was impressive, and his friends stared at him for 
a moment as if they were too astounded to reply. 

^^How long will that trip take?” inquired John, 
who was the first to respond. < 

33 


34 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


the Lakes? Four days if we go by the 
Anchor Line. That will give us two hours in 
Cleveland, two in Detroit, two at Mackinac 
Island, two at the Saulte, two at Marquette, 
and four at Houghton. If we leave Buffalo 
Monday morning, wedl arrive at Duluth Friday 
morning.” 

^^What^s the matter with taking in Niagara 
Falls if we meet at Buffalo,” inquired Scott. 
^HVe never seen that.” 

^^And yet youVe seen a picture of the aged 
Simeon with spectacles on,” murmured Lee. 

^H’m not bragging about it,” retorted Scott. 
donT think you need to,” replied Lee. 
say, fellows, this is a chance of a hfetime,” 
he added enthusiastically. move a vote of 
thanks to Larc and his pater, and I’ll take back 
all I said about the prize ox, too. Football is 
a great thing.” 

^'Never mind that!” laughed Larcum. '^Will 
you all go ? That^s what I want to know, so that 
I can telegraph my father.” 

^^When does the magnate propose to start?” 
inquired Scott. 

'^Why, I thought as our graduating exercises 
are this week, and we’ll all be having our college 


PERPLEXING PROBLEMS 


35 


entrance exams next week, we might go up to 
Buffalo by a week from Friday, and then we’d 
have a chance to see Niagara, and rest up over 
Sunday, and be ready to take the boat that 
leaves at nine o’clock on Monday morning.” 

^^Just listen to that, fellows,” exclaimed Lee. 
^^And yet Larc declares he never can tell whether 
the ten thousand were marching into Persia or 
out of it. My, what a head he’s got, when he 
once lets it go.” 

^^The question is whether or not you’ll go.” 

^^You want our verdict now?” inquired Lee. 

Yes, I’m just hanging on it,” retorted Larcum. 

^^You won’t be the first to hang on the jury’s 
words,” said Lee, glibly. 

Ignoring the laugh which followed, Larcum said 
quickly: ^^Of course I don’t want to urge you, 
fellows, but if you really think you’d like to go, 
I’d be glad if you’d telegraph home and find out 
if it’s all right, and then we’ll be able to fix every- 
thing.” 

^^Larc, we’ll all telegraph this minute!” ex- 
claimed Scott. ^^Come on, fellows!” he added 
to his companions; ^det’s put straight for the 
telegraph office and relieve Larc’s anxiety.” 

All the boys instantly responded to the appeal. 


36 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


and at once left the room in the dormitory and 
sought the local telegraph office. Their messages, 
after some thought and comparison, were all 
worded alike and duly despatched, and then, 
still excited over the proposal of their friend, 
the boys returned to John^s room. There the 
excitement increased as they conversed, and the 
attractiveness of the proposed trip became more 
marked with every passing moment. 

‘‘1 wish we had time to read up for the trip,^^ 
suggested John, seriously. 

^^That would be fine, but we can do some 
reading afterward, anyway. Wedl understand it 
better if weVe seen it first,” suggested Scott. 

^^Yes, but we^d understand what we shall see 
better if we^d done some reading first,” responded 
John. 

^^YouTe both right,” said Lee, ^^but this is not 
a time to worry about that. John here can do 
the reading for the crowd. He wonT have to 
cram up for his exams, while poor Larc here will 
have to — ” 

^Hfil pass higher than you do!” interrupted 
Larcum. 

fear me you canT do it. Not that your 
standing would be so high even then as to let 


PERPLEXING PROBLEMS 


37 


you in; but self-confidence will be your ruina- 
tion, Larc. I say/^ he added, ^Vhy don^t you 
wear your sweater with the in it and state 
at the top of your examination paper that you 
weigh two hundred and five pounds ? 

^^Who told you of that?^^ demanded Larcum, 
sharply. 

^^Oh, ^twas a secret you told Tom Baker, and 
Tom told me, but he said I mustnT tell ; so donT 
you tell, Larc, that I told you that he told me 
what you told him not to telL^^ 

never told Tom Baker any such thing in 
all my life,’’ said Larcum, seriously, — so seriously 
indeed that his friends broke forth into shouts of 
laughter. Aware then that Lee had been guy- 
ing” him, the young giant smiled foolishly, but 
his manner, nevertheless, caused John to glance 
meaningly at Scott. 

That evening John and Scott received replies 
from their fathers, granting the desired permis- 
sion to go with their friend, but the following day 
passed and still Lee had not received any word 
from his home. Larcum had wired his father as 
soon as his two friends had received the replies 
to their messages, and then all three waited 
patiently for Lee to have a similar permission 


38 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

granted. Commencement Day came, and not 
even the interest and excitement of the occasion 
served to relieve Lee from the feeling of anxiety 
that possessed him, which was shared also by 
his friends. 

When the final scenes had been enacted and the 
assembly dispersed and all the visitors had de- 
parted, still Lee had received no word from home, 
although he had twice telegraphed to his father. 
It had been arranged that he was to go home 
with Jack and spend the days that intervened 
before the taking of the college entrance examina- 
tions. At the station the Cardinals parted, 
for Larcum and Scott were to return to their own 
homes and each take his examination in the city 
in which he dwelt. 

Never mind, Lee, old man,^^ said Larcum, sym- 
pathetically. see you in Buffalo. Youfil 

get word and be on hand, I^m sure. Why, man, 
there wouldn^t be any fun in the trip anyway 
if you weren^t along. 

^^It won^t be my fault if I^m not there, Larc,^^ 
replied Lee, as he warmly grasped his friend^s 
extended hand. 

^^Oh, youfil come,^^ said Larcum. ^‘You’ll 
be there. WeVe got to have one model fellow 


PERPLEXING PROBLEMS 39 

with us to give the right tone to the party, you 
know/^ 

^^You think I^m a model inquired Lee. 
your kind, yes,^^ laughed Larcum. 

^^Do you know what a ^modek is?^^ demanded 
Lee. 

^^IVe an idea.^^ 

question it. I looked it up in the dictionary 
the other day, and I know what the words mean. 
Oh, I^m not taking any credit to myself, he added 
hastily. ^^It was an accident, just a pure acci- 
dent. But such as it was I^m rather glad I had 
it, for I know now what a ^modek is.’’ 

^^What is it, Lee?” 

^^Why, the dictionary gave this definition: 
^ Model — a small pattern or miniature of some- 
thing on a larger scale.’ Now, suh, if you think 
I’m a model — ” 

^M’ll take it back, Lee!” exclaimed Larcum. 
^^You aren’t a model — at least, not very much 
of one,” he added as his friends laughed. ^^But, 
honestly, old man, I shall be more disappointed 
than you can think if anything does happen to 
prevent you from joining us. But there won’t I 
It can’t 1 I say, Lee, how would it do for all of 
us to telegraph your father?” 


40 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


kind of you to suggest it, but it wouldn^t 
do any good/^ 

^^Why not?” persisted Larcum. ^^Now, if it 
was my father — ” 

^^But it isn^t. It happens to be mine,” sug- 
gested Lee, and the expression in his eyes caused 
Larcum to drop the subject instantly. 

^^Here comes our train, Scott,” he called, as 
the whistle of the locomotive was heard in the 
distance. Good-by, fellows!” he added, as 
he turned again and shook the hands of John 
and Lee. ^^Wedl see you a week from Friday 
in Buffalo!” 

The rumbling train drew to a standstill, and the 
two boys clambered on board, and taking a posi- 
tion on the rear platform of the crowded cars, 
waved to their friends as long as they remained 
within sight. 

A half-hour afterward, when the train arrived 
which was to bear John and Lee to Boston, the 
two boys took their seats and departed from the 
place where for three years the Cardinals had been 
almost inseparable. Whether it was the thought 
of this final departure from the familiar and well- 
loved scenes or the failure to receive a reply to 
his telegrams that caused Lee, the usually irre- 


PERPLEXING PROBLEMS 41 

pressible, to be silent, John was not able to de- 
termine. But they had arrived in Boston and 
gone to John’s home in one of the suburbs before 
the light-hearted lad had regained a measure 
of his cheerfulness. 

The subject of the proposed trip was seldom 
referred to in the days that immediately followed, 
as the dreaded examinations soon engrossed time 
and thought alike. There was no question as to 
John’s ability to meet all the requirements, but 
Lee had been an indifferent student, sometimes 
doing brilliant work and then again failing with 
equal persistence and brilliancy, if ^Tailure” 
can ever be termed brilliant. His quickness of 
mind and readiness of speech enabled him to 
grasp easily certain superficial points in a lesson, 
but he had never studied hard or gone much below 
the surface of his tasks. And the time of testing 
was something which he feared. 

However, the tests must be met and a definite 
estimate of his knowledge had to be given, and 
there was no way of escape. Late into the night 
he studied now at the close of each day, and the 
task was even more difficult because of his knowl- 
edge that John was not studying at all. If Lee 
reahzed that his friend was relieved from all 


42 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


anxiety in the testing time because he had done 
his work faithfully and every day in the pre- 
ceding terms, and that his own difficulties were 
vastly increased because of his failure to do that 
very thing, he gave no expression to his thoughts, 
and worked early and late, striving desperately 
to make up for neglected opportunities and duties 
spurned. 

At last the final examination had been held and 
the two friends were on their way together to 
John’s home. John himself, quiet and confident, 
was inquiring of his companion what answers 
he had given to various questions in the paper, 
and Lee’s confidence one moment that he had 
succeeded would be followed by a corresponding 
feeling of depression when John would explain 
what the correct answers should have been. 

When they arrived at the house, Lee flung 
himself into an easy chair on the piazza and 
exclaimed : I don’t care ! I’m not going to worry 
about it another minute ! It’s done, whatever 
it is, and can’t be helped now. I say, John,” he 
added in a manner that betrayed his anxiety, in 
spite of his high-sounding words, ^ffiow long will 
it be before we hear?” 

^^From the exams? About two weeks.” 


PERPLEXING PROBLEMS 


43 


^'That won't be until after you've started, — 
yes, and are a good way on your trip." 

The reply on John's lips was checked as the 
postman approached the house, and after he had 
handed him two letters he added: ^^I've another 
letter here. It is for Lu Harris. Is there a young 
lady here by that name?" 

^Ht's for Lee Harris," exclaimed Lee, leaping to 
his feet, ^^and I'm the man." 

The carrier good-naturedly delivered the letter, 
and Lee at once reseated himself and began to 
read. John restrained his impulse to inquire if 
the letter was from Lee's home, but as he glanced 
occasionally at his friend he could see from the 
expression upon his face that he was seriously 
perplexed or troubled. 

Lee reread the letter and then for a time was 
silent, looking thoughtfully out over the lawn and 
apparently unaware of his friend's presence. At 
last he looked up and said quietly, — 

^^Jack, I'm afraid I can't go." 

''That's too bad," replied John, sympatheti- 
cally. "Isn't your father willing?" 

"He doesn't say so." 

"What does he say?" 

For a moment Lee was silent. Then he said 


44 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


slowly : don’t know, Jack, that I ought to hesi- 

tate to tell you, but I don’t believe he can afford 
it. You see my expenses haven’t been light, 
and there’s little Jack, — Stonewall Jackson Har- 
ris,” he explained smilingly, ^^he’s not to lose 
his part because his big brother takes it all.” 

^^But it’s Larc’s treat. It won’t cost you any- 
thing,” urged John. 

^^Oh, yes, I know what a big heart Larc has. 
It’s the heart of a prize ox. But how can I put 
myself under obligations to him?” 

For a moment John stared at his friend and then 
laughed. 


CHAPTER IV 

TWO TRAVELLERS, AND A THIRD 

^^Let me ask you a question, Lee,^^ said John, 
you had plenty of money, you wouldnT hesi- 
tate a minute to take up with Larc^s offer, would 
you?'' 

^^No," responded Lee. ^^But you see in that 
case — " 

^^No, I don't see," interrupted John, sharply. 
^‘1 don't see anything at all. Here's Larc Brown, 
as you yourself say, one of the biggest-hearted 
fellows in the world — " 

regular ox heart," suggested Lee, cordially. 

^^That's all right," assented John. ^^Now just 
look at it ! This trip isn't going to cost him any- 
thing, — I mean any work or expense on his 
part. And you know what he thinks of you. 
Why, he just sticks to you like a bur. He'll 
be all broken up if you don't go. Just think, 
45 


46 FOVR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Lee, what it will mean to him. Don’t you think 
you are under obligations now to prevent him 
from losing heart and depriving all the rest of 
us of a good time ? Think of it, Lee, ” persisted 
John. ^'It isn’t as if you were seeking some 
favor of him, you know. He’s seeking the favor 
of you.” 

. ^^That may all be so. I’m willing to do any- 
thing that one gentleman can do for another.” 

That’s right. Now look at it ! Next year 
or some other time you can pay it back. Per- 
haps next summer we’ll all come South — ” 

^Hf you would,” interrupted Lee, shouldn’t 
hesitate a moment.” 

^^Well, I’ll come. You can rest easy about 
that,” laughed John. ^^You see I’m not squeam- 
ish. I’m promising to come before I’m really 
invited — ” 

^^My dear fellow,” said Lee, quickly, ^^your 
invitation is a standing one. You know you are 
welcome.” Lee’s eyes were shining as he spoke. 
^Hf I only thought the other Cardinals would come 
too — ” 

^^You needn’t be worried about that. They’ll 
come fast enough, and I’ll be the one to arrange 
it. I’ll promise you that.” 


TWO TRAVELLERS, AND A THIRD 47 


^^But how^ll I know?^^ inquired Lee, already 
wavering in his purpose. 

^^IVe given you my word, haven^t I? After 
weVe seen the Northwest wedl all be glad to get 
a look at the South. You can rest easy on that 
score. Of course we shan^t have time now to 
get word to the fellows and back again, but it 
will be all right. I know it will.^’ 

^^You really think so, do you?^^ inquired Lee, 
hesitating. 

know it! Youdl go on this trip, Lee?’’ 

^^On that condition. 

‘^Good for you, Lee!^^ exclaimed John, with 
unwonted enthusiasm. ^‘1 knew you would do 
it when you saw it just as it was. Wedl start 
for Buffalo to-morrow night. Or say, Lee, 
wouldn’t it be better to go though in the daytime ? 
We’ll see something of the Empire State if we 
do that.” 

^^I’m agreed.” 

^^Then come on. I’ll ’phone for seats, and then 
we’ll have a game of tennis before dinner. I feel 
as if I needed something to stir my blood after 
those exams. I’m glad I’m done with them.” 

^^I wish I was done with them, too,” said Lee. 

But the enthusiasm of the moment was too keen 


48 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


to permit even the outcome of his recent examina- 
tions long to cool his ardor, and while John tele- 
phoned his message to the station, Lee wrote a 
letter to his father in which he explained his 
decision to accept the invitation of Larcum. 

Early on the following morning, in high spirits, 
the two boys took their seats in the car which 
was to run through to Buffalo. The brightness 
of the summer sunlight seemed like a reflection of 
the glow in their own souls, and as the train sped 
swiftly on through the rugged fields of Massa- 
chusetts, John in his eagerness was warmly prais- 
ing the beauties of the rough country, the thrift 
and enterprise of Worcester, Springfield, and other 
towns and villages through which they were dart- 
ing. 

^Mt's all right,^^ assented Lee, as he listened to 
his friend^s enthusiastic words, ^^but you should 
see my country. We arenT shut in there. We 
havenT so many cities, but we have plantations 
that contain thousands of acres, and when the 
cottonfields are white and the negroes are at 
work, and the air is like a dream, why, you forget 
that there is ever such a thing as ice and snow. 
You people know how to work. Jack. You can 
make a dollar more easily than we can, but I 


TWO TRAVELLERS, AND A THIRD 49 


wouldn^t give it up for all your dollars. You 
people don^t know how to live like we-all. Why, 
the faces of the men, and of the women, too, 
around here look like they were worrying where 
that dime had gone and how they would ever 
make up for it. That^s not what I call living.’^ 

^^They want to get a dollar’s worth for every 
hundred cents they spend,” laughed John. 

That’s all right. I don’t object to their 
getting their dollar’s worth. What I do object 
to is that they should lie awake nights and waste 
the hours when they ought to be asleep in schem- 
ing how they can get a hundred and five cents’ 
worth for every dollar they spend. That’s not 
worth it.” 

^Terhaps that’s the way they get their fun.” 

^^Well, suh, then all I can say is, that I don’t 
like the way. Why, Jack, you pointed out houses 
to me in your town where people that owned 
the places lived upstairs and rented the lower 
part of their own house, and yet you said some 
of these people that did that were wealthy! 
For my part I can’t understand that. In our 
country we think we must have room, — room 
and air, and plenty of both. What’s life for, if it 
isn’t to enjoy a little the very world we’re in?” 


50 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^And yet you came up here to school and are 
going to college here/^ suggested John. 

^^Yes. So I am. But that doesn^t mean 
that we haven^t any schools and colleges. My 
father thought it would be better for me to see 
some other part of the world, too.’^ 

^^And that’s what we’re going to do, Lee!” 
said John, warmly, glad to change the topic of 
conversation, which he long ago had discovered 
was likely to lead to a discussion as warm as it 
was profitless. His own manner was far less 
demonstrative than that of his friend, but each 
respected the prejudices of the other, and the 
friendship between them had become increasingly 
strong with every year that had passed since they 
had been classmates in Wendell Academy. 

At Albany their car was to be switched to 
another train, and during the half-hour that 
intervened before the arrival of the other train 
the two boys walked up to the Capitol building 
and were shown through the various rooms. 
The imposing building made a deep impression 
on their minds, and as they walked back to the 
station, Lee said thoughtfully: ^^That certainly 
is a great building. Jack. It’s a pity, though, 
it hasn’t more ground. I don’t believe the 


TWO TRAVELLERS, AND A THIRD 51 


Dutchmen who founded this town believed in 
wasting very much ground anywhere, judging 
from the narrow streets. I don't like it myself. 
AVhere I live we believe in plenty of room." 

^^So you said, Lee," replied John, somewhat 
annoyed by the superior air of his friend, who 
perhaps unconsciously was continually contrast- 
ing what he saw with the scenes with which he 
himself was more familiar. ^^Now look here, 
Lee, which do you think is better, to have less 
ground and take good care of it or have more 
ground and let it go to waste?" 

^^I'd have more ground and take good care of 
it, too." 

^^But they tell me you don't always do that 
where you live. I heard a man say the other day 
who had just come back from a trip in the South 
that in almost every town he^d see pigs and cows 
and horses and mules running loose in the streets. 
He said he saw poultry in the yard of the State 
mansion of one of your governors. Why, he 
said he'd seen cows pastured right in the front 
yards of some of the most beautiful houses on 
the handsomest street in — I guess I won't tell 
you the name of the city," John added, with 
a laugh. 


52 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^You are mistaken!’^ retorted Lee, hotly, his 
face flushing as he spoke. 

^^Oh, I didn’t say I’d seen it. I said a man 
had just told me who had been down there.” 

^^Then he was — mistaken! Who was the 
gentleman?” 

^^My father.” 

^'Well, Jack, I can’t say there isn’t any truth 
in what you say. I wish I could. But the truth 
is the South is so busy raising gentlemen it hasn’t 
much time to waste on such things as you men- 
tion.” 

^^You think, then, do you, that ^such things’ 
are a part of the training?” 

‘^1 didn’t say so. I didn’t say so at all!” 
retorted Lee, angrily. 

^^Now look here, Lee,” began John again, 

you’ve been in Boston, and I took you for an 
automobile ride out through the Newtons and 
the Fells, and Brookline, and Cambridge, and a 
good many other places, too. Now, honestly, 
Lee, did you ever see anything like it?” 

^^It certainly was very beautiful,” acknowledged 
Lee. 

^^That’s good of you to say so. Now, Lee, 
you like your own home, and I don’t blame you 


TWO TRAVELLERS, AND A THIRD 53 

for that. I wouldn^t think much of you if you 
didn’t. But I like my home, too, and so does 
Scott like New York, and Larc likes his, or pre- 
tends to, anyway. Now they’ve all got their good 
points, and what’s the use in forever bringing what 
we happen to believe is best to down the other 
fellow with?” 

^^I’m not doing that,” said Lee, warmly. 

Now if you had seen the South before the war — ” 

^^But I didn’t,” interrupted John, quickly, 
have to take things as they are. We aren’t 
looking back all the while. Up here we look 
ahead once in a while. That’s what we’ve got 
to meet. I should think you could do it, too. 
What’s the use in always looking behind you? 
The war is over, and now it’s time to stop looking 
back, and begin to look ahead.” 

^^You don’t know what you’re talking about !” 
retorted Lee, now thoroughly angry. 

‘‘Yes, I do, too ! A Southern girl told me not 
long ago about something that happened in her 
Sunday-school class. She was a teacher in the 
primary department and had asked her little 
class one day what the difference between the Old 
and the New Testament was. Finally one httle 
tot piped up that she knew, and when she was 


54 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


given an opportunity to impart her information 
she declared that the ‘ Old Testament was written 
before the war and the New Testament was 
written after the war/ What do you think of 
that ? 

think if you knew more about the war you 
wouldn’t be surprised at anything. But our 
babies aren’t born with goggles on hke they are 
in Boston, anyway. We don’t study the diction- 
ary to find all the big words and try to show how 
much we know. Why, Jack, I heard of a parrot 
in Boston the other day that said, when a visitor 
asked her if ^ Polly wanted a cracker,’ require 
no sustenance at your hands whatever.’ And I 
can believe it, too ! There was a minister from 
Boston at our home a year ago, and he said he 
could stand on the porch of his church and throw 
a stone and hit more Tsms’ than you could find 
anywhere else in the world. He said you couldn’t 
find a fad so rank or so foolish that if you brought 
it to Boston there wouldn’t be a set that would 
take right up with it. Modern Athens ! Boston 
culture ! I tell you that they can brag all 
they want, but they can’t beat the negroes at their 
own game, and I believe they’re about as gullible 
as any people on earth.” 


TWO TRAVELLERS, AND A THIRD 55 


say, Lee, let^s drop it. We’re getting too 
pronouncedly personal.” 

^^Yes, we’ll drop it for the present; but when 
you take it up again — ” 

^^But I shan’t,” protested John. 

It was nearly time for the train to depart, but the 
two friends, now thoroughly in accord once more, 
were still standing on the platform. Near them, 
and watching them so keenly that both boys were 
aware of the scrutiny, was a man apparently in 
middle life, whose appearance, in spite of his neat 
dress, had somehow caused John to glance at him 
suspiciously. The bland smile upon the stranger’s 
face did not change, and somehow seemed a re- 
flection of the shifty expression in his eyes. 

John, who by nature was more reserved than 
his friend, was annoyed when the stranger smil- 
ingly approached, and speaking in a voice that 
seemed to indicate that he was deaf, said : — 
beg pardon, but didn’t I see you get on the 
train at Boston?” 

^Wes, sir,” replied John, quietly. ^^We got 
on there.” 

^^How?” inquired the stranger, placing his 
hand behind his ear. Speak a little louder. 
I’m slightly deaf.” 


56 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


‘^Yes, sir/’ shouted John. 

‘^Ah. Thank you. Thank you. What did 
you say your name was?” 

^‘1 didn’t say — ” began John, suspicious now 
as well as annoyed. 

^^How?” shouted the stranger. 

^‘1 didn’t say,” repeated John, in louder tones, 
didn’t quite catch it.” 

^‘1 didn’t say, but my name is Field,” roared 
John. 

Field ? Any relation to John ? ” 

‘^Yes, sir. He’s my father.” 
knew him some years ago.” 

^^So did I,” shouted John, as he quickly turned 
and stepped on board the train, which was now 
beginning to move. 


CHAPTER V 

LEFT 

Lee was still laughing over John’s reply to 
the insistent stranger after they had taken their 
seats, but their chagrin was marked when the man 
entered the car and took the chair next to John’s. 
The man glanced smilingly at the boys, and then 
taking a book from his satchel at once settled 
back into his seat and busied himself in the 
perusal of the story. 

Meanwhile the heavy train was being assisted 
in the ascent of the steep grade, and both boys 
were silent as they gazed with interest out of the 
car windows. 

^Ht’s a shame, isn’t it. Jack,” said Lee, ^Hhat 
this country should be disfigured the way it 
is by those signboards? Who wants to think 
of tooth-powder or the cheapest place in the 
world in which to buy shoes, when he’s seeing 

57 


58 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

for the first time in his life the great Empire 
State 

^'People sometimes need what they don^t want.’^ 

^^That may be so; but you don^t mean to tell 
me that you approve of all this?^^ 

^^I^m afraid it won^t make any difference 
whether I approve or not/^ 

There’s Schenectady/’ suggested Lee, hastily, 
as the swiftly moving train swept past the great 
electric works and darted through the town. 

What’s this place celebrated for, anyway?” 

^^Oh, it’s another settlement of the Dutch. 
You know you like their careful ways and frugal 
manners,” laughed John. There’s a college 
here too. My grandfather — my mother’s father — 
graduated at Union. They had a great president 
here in those days — good old Eliphalet Nott. 
He got some money for the college one time by 
a lottery — ” 

^ ^ What ? ” interrupted Lee. 

‘^Yes, sir,” responded John, with a laugh. 
'^That’s what my grandfather told me. He said 
the State established a lottery for the benefit of 
the colleges in New York, and Dr. Nott bought 
out the other colleges and got the whole thing 
for Union.” 


LEFT 


59 


^^Dr. Nott ought not to have done that. Surely 
Nott would not.^’ 

^^It was Nott that did it, whether or not Nott 
ought to have done it or not.^’ 

^^Ah, well, let us not be too hard on Nott.’^ 
didn’t think you would be guilty of such 
things,” said John, reprovingly. 

^^Well, if Nott did not do what he ought not, 
then it’s not wrong for me to do what Nott — ” 

^^Quit!” exclaimed John. ^^You’ll drive me 
to desperation ! Men have committed suicide 
for less than that.” As he glanced at the man 
in the seat near him, he perceived a smile of 
amusement on his face, but the stranger was 
deaf, he assured himself, and therefore could not 
have heard what the two boys were saying. 

We’re getting into the Mohawk Valley now,” 
continued John. don’t suppose there’s a 
more beautiful or fertile region in the country 
t'ii'U t ins — ” 

''Except the Shenandoah Valley,” interrupted 
Lee. 

• John smiled in a manner that was somewhat 
irritating to his friend, but Lee was too deeply 
interested in the view from the window to con- 
tinue hi j defence of a region that frequently 


60 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


caused his friends to joke with him, for his praises 
of the beautiful valley of the Shenandoah were 
so frequent that their justice was sometimes 
ignored by his bantering comrades. 

The sight which now greeted his eyes was 
certainly one of marvellous beauty. The waters 
of the swiftly flowing Mohawk River sparkled in 
the clear light of the summer day. Fields care- 
fully cultivated and rich with promise of abound- 
ing harvests, cattle sleek, contented, and of a 
high breed, farm buildings and dwellings that 
showed plainly the prosperity of their owners, 
could be seen on either side of the railroad, and the 
framework of the beautiful picture was provided 
by the hills that were beyond all the low-lying 
meadows. The train darted past little hamlets 
and sped through larger villages and towns, and 
everywhere there were the same evidences to be 
seen of rich fields and richer owners. 

^^IsnT this great, Jack?^^ demanded Lee, with 
enthusiasm. 

^Mt certainly is. Comes almost up to the 
valley of the Shenandoah, doesn’t it, Lee?” 

^^You wait, that^s all I will say! Next sum- 
mer you may see more, and I’ll leave you till 
then.” 


LEFT 


61 


don’t leave me!” pleaded John, 
don’t mean that I shall leave you; but I’ll 
just leave you to draw your conclusions after 
you have seen a little more.” 

That’s good of you. Honestly, Lee, I didn’t 
mean to bring that up again.” 

You are very excusable. I know your Yankee 
traits, and when you once get hold of an idea, or 
what you fancy is an idea, you can’t let go 
of it.” 

^^We ought to have arranged for Scott to come 
on this train,” suggested John. 

''That’s so. Pity we didn’t think of it. It’s 
such a pretty day, too.” 

"What kind of a day?” 

"A pretty day. It sure is.” And Lee again 
glanced out of the window as if to convince him- 
self of the truthfulness of his assertion. "It’s 
a pretty day — it’s a right pretty day,” he 
added emphatically. 

"Why do you cail it a 'pretty’ day, Lee?” 

"Because that is what it is.” 

"'Pretty?’ 'Pretty?’ I’d call a little child 
'pretty’; I’d speak of a ribbon as being 'pretty’; 
but I’d never call a day that. It isn’t dignified.” 

"WLat would you call it?” 


62 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

‘^I’d say it was beautiful. I guess that would 
be a better term.’’ 

'^Why can’t I break you of that habit of saying 
guess’? You mean you fancy, don’t you? 
You aren’t guessing at it. That dialect of yours 
requires correctin’.” 

own up, Lee,” laughed John. We’re 
coming into Utica now,” he added as he peered 
out of the window again. 

^^Yes, this is Utica,” remarked the man near 
them. ^^Do you get off here?” 

Lee laughed, but John almost stared at the 
man as he said quietly : — 

Thank you. No, we do not expect to get off 
here.” 

^^Neither do I,” responded the man as he 
resumed his reading. 

That’s strange,” said John, in a low voice to 
his friend. ^^That man was, or pretended to be, 
deaf back in Albany. How did he hear us?” 

^^Oh, you were speaking in a louder tone 
than you thought. That peculiar New England 
vibratory tone can go through a stone wall. 
Jack. Now in the South you’ll hear the softest 
voices — ” 

'H’ll take your word for it. Let’s get out for a 


LEFT 


63 


minute/^ John added as the rumbling train came 
to a standstill. 

The two boys at once departed from the train, 
and learning that several minutes would elapse 
before its departure, they went out upon the 
streets of the city and in the brief time afforded 
them explored the town. The wide streets and 
stately buildings marked the inland city as one of 
unusual wealth and beauty, but there was no oppor- 
tunity to inspect the residential portion, for they 
were compelled to hasten back to the station. 

'^You must show your tickets, demanded the 
door-keeper as they attempted to pass out to the 
platform. 

^^But we left them on the train,” protested 
John, aghast. 

Kerens mine,” explained Lee, as he displayed 
the slip he had received from the conductor. 

The door-man inspected it with a frown, and 
then said: let you pass. The other mandl 

have to show his ticket. Step aside. YouTe 
blocking the way.” 

^^V\l stay with you. Jack, anyway. That’s a 
shame! What does he mean by not letting us 
through ? If we get off the train, why can’t we 
get on again?” demanded Lee, angrily. 


64 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

^^Here! Come on, LeeT^ called Jack, hastily. 
^ ^ We haven a minute to spare! We’ll make a 
run for the station master. No, you get aboard ! 
I may be left over till the next train. You look 
after the things. I’ll meet you in Buffalo.” 

John Adams Field, Jr., had already disappeared 
from sight, and after a momentary hesitation Lee 
at once turned, and passing through the doorway 
returned to his car, but instead of entering it he 
remained anxiously upon the platform, peering 
about for his friend in the midst of the throng. 

^^How much longer have we before the train 
pulls out, boy?” Lee demanded of the colored 
porter. 

don’t know, sah. ’Bout three minutes, I 
expect, sah.” 

In his excitement Lee ran toward the engine, 
still looking eagerly about him, but John was 
nowhere to be seen. Again he ran back to his 
own car, but his friend was not there. 

^^All abo-o-a-a-rd ! ” came the prolonged call, 
and there was a janghng of a bell which could not 
be seen. The porter reached for his step and 
tossed it on to the platform of the car, and step- 
ping on board, prepared to close the gate. In an 
agony of suspense Lee was still peering out from 


LEFT 


65 


his own position there, and just as the wheels 
began to turn, he caught sight of Jack running 
swiftly toward the car. 

‘^Here you, boy!^' shouted Lee, excitedly, to 
the porter. ^^Keep the gate open! Let that 
man get on board 1’^ 

Can't do it, boss," responded the porter. 

^^You — " began Lee, but he stopped abruptly 
when he perceived that John, too, had stopped 
where he then was, at least twenty yards from 
the car, and, waving his hand at his friend, whom 
he had discovered, he said something which Lee 
could not hear. 

The train was already under headway and its 
speed was increasing. There was no prospect 
that John would be able to get on board, and it 
was manifest too that he had abandoned all 
attempts. As long as his friend could be seen, 
Lee remained standing on the platform, and then, 
with a feeling of mingled anger and amusement, he 
slowly passed into the car and resumed his seat. 

^^Did anything happen to your friend?" in- 
quired the man whose seat was next to John's 
(or the one which had been John's), as he per- 
ceived the expression on Lee's face. 

'^Yes, suh," replied Lee, politely, but briefly. 


66 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

^^Get 

^'Yes, suh.^^ 

''How did that happen?^' 

"Why, suh, that gateman wouldn^t let him 
through without showing his ticket. And he 
left his ticket here, suh,’^ he added as he picked 
the white slip from John’s hatband, for his 
friend had discarded his hat for a light cap as 
soon as he had entered the car. "I think that 
is an outrage, suh.” 

"Oh, they’ll refund the money to him.” 

‘ "'Refund the money,’ suh? It wasn’t the 
money he wanted ; it was the ride to Buffalo he’d 
paid for ! Yes, suh, he’d paid for it, and it’s 
enough to drive a man crazy to be cheated out 
of it by such red tape !” 

"Oh, well, if your friend is crazy, there’s an 
insane asylum right there in Utica. It’s one of 
the best in the country. They’ll look after him.” 

"I don’t wonder, suh, that they have to have 
an asylum there,” said Lee, angrily. "Is the rail- 
road working to provide inmates for it?” 

"The railroad brings the inmates.” 

"Yes, suh, and provides them, too!” retorted 
Lee, warmly. 

The man laughed, and then pointing to the tall 


LEFT 


67 


shaft of a monument which could be seen on a 
knoll at some distance from the train, inquired, 
^'Do you know what that is?^^ 

^^No, suh. I can^t say that I do. It^s the first 
time I have ever been here.^^ 

^'That is the monument of the battle of Oris- 
kany. Of course you recall what and when that 
was.^^ 

have heard of it, suh. But I can^t say that 
I recall the details. 

^^It was fought August 6, 1777. General 
Herkimer was marching with a force of militia 
to the aid of Colonel Gansevoort, who was up here 
at Fort Stanwix or Fort Schuyler. That fort 
was in what is now the city of Rome, and we shall 
soon be there. Here at Oriskany, Joseph Brant 
had arranged an ambuscade, and when Herkimer’s 
men began to move into that ravine yonder, the 
Indians and Tories that were with Brant let fly 
at them. It is said that it was the bloodiest 
battle in the entire Revolution. Men fought 
with guns, clubs, pistols, knives, fists. It must 
have been indescribable.” 

^^Did you say Fort Stanwix was in Rome?” 
inquired Lee. 

^^Yes.” 


68 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

notice on the time-table and the map that 
there are a great many classical names for the 
cities and towns of Central New York. Kerens 
Utica, Rome, Syracuse, Cicero, Sempronius, Cato, 
Camillus, Marcellus, Ovid, and a good many 
more. How did that happen? Do the people 
up here all talk Latin?’’ 

Scarcely,” replied the man, smiling as he 
spoke. ^^No. I have heard that the civil engi- 
neers who laid out the county were Latin students 
and gave the names to the places they surveyed 
because of their own preference. It’s pecuhar, 
but then every part of our country has its own pe- 
culiarity; only when we happen to be familiar 
with it, it doesn’t seem to be peculiar to us, that’s 
all.” 


CHAPTER VI 

THE MEETING AT BUFFALO 

For a time Lee became silent as the swift 
train sped on through a level stretch of country 
with numerous villages in it that for a moment 
could be seen and then were left far in the rear. 
The man near him had resumed his reading, and 
after a smile at the recollection of John^s error 
in believing the stranger to be so deaf that it 
was necessary to shout in his ear in order to make 
one’s self heard, and a slight feehng of being 
puzzled by the man’s manner, Lee soon en- 
deavored to busy himself in the sights to be seen 
from the car windows. It was not long before 
the train approached Syracuse, and as it en- 
tered the city, he perceived that the tracks were 
laid directly through one of the long and nar- 
row streets, with houses close to the train on 
either side. The sight was so novel that Lee was 

69 


70 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


instantly interested, and the friendly stranger 
smiled and said : — 

^^Syracuse.’^ 

Queer how the cars go through the street 
here/^ 

^^That^s one of the peculiarities here, like those 
I was speaking of a little while ago. The people 
here donT think of it now.’^ 

^^What^s this place celebrated for, suh?^' 
^^Why, originally, it was for the salt. Now it’s 
a live town and has a great many interests. It’s 
a natural distributing point for all this region. 
Sometimes I think its greatest product is — poh- 
ticians. But then that is a crop which nearly 
every New York State town produces. They 
have a college here, too.” 

Utica has an insane asylum, and Syracuse a 
college,” laughed Lee. 

^^Ah, yes, but Utica has two colleges close by 
her. There’s Hamilton at Clinton, and Colgate 
at Hamilton.” 

^^Next to politicians, then, it seems to me the 
best crop in these towns is colleges.” 

There certainly is no lack of them. Our next 
stop is Rochester, and there is one there, and at 
Buffalo there’s still another.” 


THE MEETING AT BUFFALO 


71 


On sped the train, and Lee was again silent, 
watching the panorama from the windows of the 
car. There was the same beautiful country, fer- 
tile and cultivated to an .extent with which he 
was not familiar in his own home. It was all 
exceedingly interesting, however, and when the 
train had stopped in Rochester, and Lee had 
inquired of the genial man who was his neighbor 
for what this town was best known, he was informed 
that originally the city had been known as the 
Flour City, but within recent years that industry 
had been largely surpassed by the mills of Min- 
neapolis. ^^The homes are beautiful here,^^ con- 
tinued the man. There is wealth and culture 
in this town, and though the city is not quite so 
aggressive as some of the other New York State 
cities, the people here rather pride themselves on 
that very fact.^^ 

Once more the train sped onward, its last stop 
now having been made before its arrival at 
Buffalo. Still thrifty towns and thriving villages 
were passed, and the fruit-growing region of New 
York was seen in the dim light of the departing 
day. 

It was dark when Lee arrived at Buffalo, but 
he had no difficulty in making his way to the 


72 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


hotel where it had been agreed that the boys 
were to meet. When he had registered he looked 
carefully through the list of arrivals, and soon 
discovered that both Scott and Larcum were 
already there. Leaving directions with the porter 
concerning his baggage, Lee at once sought the 
elevator and was lifted to the seventh floor, 
where the room of his two friends was. In 
response to his knock on the door he was bidden 
to enter, and instantly was greeted rapturously 
by both boys. 

Where’s Jack?” demanded Larcum. 
thought he was coming with you.” 

^^He started all right enough, but he got 
off at Utica,” laughed Lee, as he explained what 
had befallen his companion. 

That’s a good one on our careful friend from 
Boston!” shouted Larcum, in delight. He’ll 
come crawling in along toward morning, and 
we’ll have to sit up to welcome him.” 

^^You can sit up if you want to, but I’m going 
to bed. Say, fellows, I had an interesting ex- 
perience coming up, too,” said Scott. 

^^How did you come?” inquired Lee. 

^^Oh, I came up on the Lackawanna. I’d been 
over the other road so many times I thought I’d 


THE MEETING AT BUFFALO 


73 


try something new. Well, there was a fine old 
chap on the car who said he^d never been outside 
the county in which he was born until this trip. 
His son, who had been down to the city and 
built up a successful business, determined to get 
his father down and show him the sights. He 
had to go and bring the old man, for he was too 
sceptical of the cars to try it alone, and now the 
son was taking his father back home. The old 
gentleman was still somewhat nervous. He didnT 
like it a bit, though he told me — for he was very 
social, and would talk with every one on the car 
who would listen to him — that he had had a good 
time ^down to the city,^ and he was immensely 
proud of his son. Well, when the train ran into 
the long tunnel, the old gentleman^s fears got 
the better of him. The porter had been a little 
slow in lighting up, and it was pretty dark in the 
car. The old man lost all control of himself, and 
shouted so that you could hear him all through 
the car: ^ There, Tom! I knew somethin’ dread- 
ful would happen, an’ it has ! I’m struck blind ! 
I can’t see nothin’ I I tell ye I’m blind’s a bat !’ 
and the poor old man’s voice kept getting louder 
and louder. Just then the cars came out into 
the light again, and you ought to have seen the 


74 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


expression on the face of the old gentleman. But 
it wasn’t anything compared with what was on 
the other faces in the car.” 

^^Look here, Scott, that’s a pretty big story,” 
said Larcum, soberly. ‘‘1 don’t know whether 
I’d better believe it or not.” 

^^Oh, it sounds all right, anyway,” said Lee, 
laughing. 

'^You fellows needn’t believe anything,” re- 
torted Scott. ^^You won’t believe Jack’s ances- 
tors came over in the Mayflower” 

^^Oh, yes. I’ll believe it. I’ve been up in 
Boston,” exclaimed Lee. ^^I’ll believe they came 
over that way.” 

^^Why? You didn’t see the Mayflower ^ did 
you?” 

^^Oh, no. I didn’t need to see her. But after 
I had seen the people I understood just why it 
was that the Cavaliers who settled in the South 
came singly, and why the people in the Mayflower 
came as they did.” 

^^Why was it, Lee? ” inquired Larcum, soberly. 

Why, they got special rates coming as they did 
in the Mayflower. It was a sort of an excursion 
party, and they chartered the whole thing, and 
then offered the tickets at such a low figure that 


THE MEETING AT BUFFALO 


75 


the people just jumped for ^em. It was such a 
‘bargain^ that they had to take advantage of it. 
Couldn’t do anything else.” 

^^Well, what about the Cavaliers that settled in 
the South?” laughed Scott. 

^^Oh, they didn’t travel in excursion parties.” 

You don’t dare tell Jack that when he comes,” 
suggested Larcum. 

don’t wish to tell him. I had a fine time in 
his home, and I couldn’t have been treated bet- 
ter. It wasn’t Jack’s ancestors I was thinking 
of in particular, but of the New England thrift 
I’ve heard so much about. And after I’d been 
up there and seen it for myself, I could understand 
just why it was that the Mayflower had such a 
crowd on her as they say she did have.” 

^^You think every passenger thought he was 
getting low rates and a special bargain, and had to 
come, anyway?” inquired Scott. 

^^Yes. That’s just it. That’s it exactly. I 
think if a Yankee was offered a special rate on a 
trip to Dante’s Inferno he’d have to take it so 
that he could get the bargain.” 

^^They say the New Englanders do like to 
travel,” said Scott, ^^and after all, if they could 
get good rates to the place to which you refer 


76 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

and could see what was to be seen there and 
come back again all right, I don^t know that I 
could blame them. I wish Jack was here to 
speak for himself.'^ 

wish he was here, too.^’ 
say, fellows, let^s go down and get some 
dinner, suggested Larcum. 

The other boys readily assented, and as soon 
as their ablutions had been completed they at 
once descended to the dining room. When they 
were directed to a table, Lee perceived his recent 
friendly neighbor on the car now seated at an 
adjoining table. He nodded pleasantly as he 
recognized the young traveller, and Lee at once 
related to his friends the mistake Jack had made 
in believing the man to be deaf and the some- 
what curt response he had made to the man^s 
remark concerning Jack^s father. ^^He said 
every part of the country had its own peculiarity,^^ 
continued Lee, ^^only it didn’t realize that it was 
peculiar, because it was so familiar with it that it 
didn’t seem peculiar at all. I’ve been thinking a 
good deal about that, and I believe he’s about 
right.” 

^^What do you think is the peculiarity of New 
Yorkers?” inquired Scott. 


THE MEETING AT BUFFALO 


77 


I know/^ retorted Lee, quickly, aware of 
the implied superiority in Scott^s manner. 
know you think that any one who doesn’t do 
things the way they do them in New York is the 
peculiar fellow. — Yes. I’ll have some soup,” he 
said in an aside to the waiter. 

^^Oh, no, we’re not quite so provincial as all 
that,” retorted Scott. ^^I’ll own up we do think 
New York is a pretty good town. So do you, 
don’t you?” 

^^Why, it’s the biggest town in the country. 
No one disputes that. But still it has its pecul- 
iarities.” 

^^What? Just mention one,” said Scott, 
warmly. 

^^Well,” drawled Lee, winking at Larcum as 
he spoke, don’t know that that is so very 
difficult. Now just tell me, for one thing, with 
which hand do you stir your coffee in New York ?” 

^^Why, the right hand, of course. Nothing 
peculiar about that, is there?” 

^^Teculiar’! I should say there was. Now, 
down South we all stir our coffee with a spoon. 
It does strike me as a trifle peculiar that in New 
York you all stir it with your hand.” 

Larcum threw back his head and laughed so 


78 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


loudly that Scott^s face flushed slightly, and his 
Western friend instantly assumed a more dignified 
manner, although his delight was still too keen to 
be entirely repressed. 

^'The way it is with the New Yorkers,^^ said 
Larcum, is that they are so cock-sure that they’re 
all right that you can’t often induce them to 
come out West where the real life is. Why, half 
of them don’t know that there is any city worth 
mentioning west of the Alleghany Mountains. 
That’s one reason why I’m glad to have Scott 
go on this trip. It will give him an idea that 
there is a thing or two outside his old Dutch 
town.” 

‘‘1 suppose you think I’ll find it in the West?” 
suggested Scott. 

^^No, I’m not at all sure youHl find it,” retorted 
Larcum. ^^All I say is that it’s there.” 

^Mt seems to me you two fellows have been 
plotting to see how you can down me,” said 
Scott, good-naturedly. ^^Jack ought to be here 
to help me out.” 

'^What’s the matter with this?” inquired Lee, 
as he placed on the table beside his plate one of 
the folders which the steamship company pro- 
vided. ^^Here are some facts about Buffalo. 


THE MEETING AT BUFFALO 


79 


I didn^t know them before, and V\l venture 
Scott here didn^t either/^ 

^^Go ahead. Let^s have them,’^ suggested 
Larcum. 

^^Well, first off, here’s the fact that Buffalo has 
four hundred thousand inhabitants and the city 
covers twenty-six thousand eight hundred and 
eighty acres. Got that down?” 

Let’s see,” said Larcum, ^Hhat will be about 
three-fiftieths of an acre for every man, woman, 
and child. There ought to be plenty of elbow 
room.” 

^^Oh, that takes in the parks and streets and 
everything,” said Scott, quickly. ^^You mustn’t 
think Buffalo does the way your Western towns 
do — annex all of the State they can lay hands 
upon, and call it a part of the city corporation.” 

Never you mind,” retorted Larcum. ^^New 
York had to annex Brooklyn so that Chicago 
wouldn’t get ahead of her.” 

Brooklyn was already a part of New York — 
all but in name. We didn’t go out on the prairies, 
jumping over miles of mud where there wasn’t 
a sign — except a huge sign stuck up every- 
where, ^Go West by the Blank Route’ — as if 
a man would ever go West if he didn’t have to ; 


§0 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


we didn^t take in mud and sky — we took in 
people who were already in/^ 

^‘Here/^ suggested Lee, looking up from his 
paper, ^^what do you fellows always want to be 
fighting over your cities for? Listen to this: 
^Buffalo has more smooth, paved streets than any 
other city in the world/ I^m not so sure of the 
English of that statement, but the fact is all 
right. ^In its commerce it is the fifth city in the 
world. The Lackawanna coal trestle — a mile 
in length — is the largest in the world — 

‘^V\l take your word for the rest of it,^^ said 
Scott. Let’s get out of this and see Buffalo for 
ourselves.” 


CHAPTER VII 

NIAGARA 

A WALK through the streets of Buffalo was 
interesting to the three boys, but the sights did 
not differ materially from those which are to be 
found in most of the large cities. It was a relief, 
however, to be able to move about, and when 
they returned to their hotel, all three declared 
themselves to be ready for bed. John had not 
yet appeared, but word was left with the clerk 
that when he should come he was to be shown at 
once to Lee^s room. 

In the morning when Lee awoke it was broad 
daylight, and as he glanced at the other bed in 
his room, his astonishment was great when he 
beheld John in it. 

^‘1 say. Jack, when did you come?’^ he de- 
manded as he leaped from his bed. 

^^Oh, I got in a little after midnight, drawled 
81 


82 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


John, sleepily. ^^Pity none of you fellows would 
sit up to welcome me. I couldn’t even wake you 
up when I turned on the lights.” 

^^We all were pretty well done up, Jack,” 
replied Lee, a little foolishly. ^^But I’m glad 
you got here all right. Did you have any 
trouble?” 

^^Not after you left me. I bought another 
ticket, and if you saved my slip I’ll send it on and 
request the proud corporation to disgorge. The 
tribulations of travellers ought not to be made a 
basis of increased dividends for the stockholders.” 

^^I say. Jack, you do manage to get in a small 
dictionary every time you say anything, don’t 
you,” laughed Lee. 

‘‘1 was not aware of any predilection in that 
particular direction.” 

Boston ! Boston all through ! ” sighed Lee, in 
mock despair as he hastily dressed. ^^Jack, it’s 
raining,” he added as he looked out of the window. 

^^Well, I’m sure we can’t prevent it,” retorted 
John, as he too followed the example of his friend. 

We’ll have to wait for breakfast if we don’t get 
word to the other fellows. Here, I’ll telephone 
them,” he added quickly as he took down the 


receiver. 


NIAGARA 


83 


^^They^re up, Lee,’^ he added a moment later. 
^^They say they^re all dressed and waiting for us.^’ 

^^They won’t have to wait long, then,” declared 
Lee, as he hastened his preparations for break- 
fast. 

In a few minutes the two boys were ready, and 
descended to the lobby, where their friends were 
already awaiting their coming. John was greeted 
effusively, and many bantering words were spoken 
over the delay” that had compelled him to 
remain in Utica. They were all too hungry, how- 
ever, to indulge even in this pastime long, and 
soon made their way to the dining room. 

We’ll go out to the Falls first thing,” declared 
Larcum. ^^It’s too bad it rains, but we can’t 
afford to stop for a little thing like that.” 

^^How long will it take?” inquired Scott. 

About an hour and twenty minutes, if we go 
by trolley,” replied Larcum, ^^and I think that’s 
the better way to go.” 

In a brief time the four boys, with their rain 
coats, were on the corner, waiting for the car 
which every fifteen minutes departed to the Falls. 
It was by this time raining hard, but they were 
soon safely ensconced within the shelter of the 
trolley car, and were being swiftly borne to 


84 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


the destination they were seeking. One side of 
the car was still left open, so they were able to 
see much of the region through which they were 
moving. 

At the expiration of the allotted time they 
arrived at 'the place where they were to change 
cars, and then they began their ride along the 
banks of the rushing waters. All four were so 
deeply impressed by the sight that it was seldom 
any one spoke. The great sweep of the rushing 
river, the tokens of its resistless power, the 
grandeur of the sight, were sufficient to make 
even their restless spirits quiet for the time. 
Logs and pieces of timber could occasionally be 
seen in the rapids, and the contortions and leaps 
of the inanimate objects were suggestive of the 
compelling might of the rolling, tossing, angry 
waters. The whirlpools and the rapids were 
deeply impressive, and when at last the ride was 
completed and the return was begun, Lee was the 
first to speak. 

^^That is certainly the greatest sight I ever saw,^^ 
he murmured. 

^^Just wait till we see the Falls exclaimed 
Larcum, his own enthusiasm increasing as he 
perceived how enthusiastic his friends were. 


NIAGARA 


85 


^^Glad you didn^t stop on account of the rain?^^ 
he inquired whimsically. 

^^Rain! What has the rain to do with such a 
sight as that?^^ said Scott. 

^^Not much/^ laughed Larcum, ^^only it’s not 
quite so comfortable, that’s all. Now we’ll go 
back and cross over to the Canadian side and get 
a peep at Niagara from that shore. I tell you, 
fellows, this is a great country.” 

No one appeared to be prepared to dispute the 
assertion, and the boys became silent again when 
the car crossed on the lofty bridge and turned 
up the Canadian shore. 

^Gf any of you fellows are interested in history, 
you can just make a note of Queenstown Heights 
and Lundy’s Lane — ” 

Lundy’s Lane!” interrupted Lee. ^^Why, 
one of the questions in our entrance exams was 
about that battle. I’d never thought of it as 
being anything real. It always seemed to me like 
the crater of the moon. If I had only been here 
before I took that exam,” he added dolefully, 
might have done a little better.” 

^This is the way for me to study history!” 
declared Larcum. don’t want any one to 
ask me too many questions, though. But I 


86 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

believe I will look up those two battles when I get 
home/^ 

^^Do so! Do so by all means 1^^ said Scott, 
encouragingly. ^^Then you can tell the rest of 
us all about it.^’ 

^^Some people like to do all their studying by 
proxy, suggested John. 

^^Well, this isn’t by proxy, anyway,” retorted 
Larcum. ^^This is a magna pars fui, as Vergil 
said.” 

^^Good! Good!” shouted Lee as he slapped 
his friend upon the back. 

^^Keep still, fellows!” pleaded John. ^^We’re 
coming to the Falls and you’re making so much 
noise we can’t even hear the roar.” 

The boys were now peering eagerly out at the 
sight which greeted their eyes. From the place 
where the car stopped they were able to obtain a 
sight of both the American and the Canadian 
side, and the music of the tremendous roar of the 
falling waters was in itself almost appalling. 

High above the Falls dashed the spray like a 
cloud, and the steady, persistent tumbling of the 
immense volume of water was a sight that made 
every one for the moment silent. The very 
grandeur was oppressive. Here all the waters 


NIAGARA 


87 


of the Great Lakes leaped over the rocky cliffs 
and plunged for a hundred and eighty feet straight 
down upon the rocks below. And yet how easily 
the fall apparently was made. In the midst of 
the turmoil there was an air of ease, almost of 
dignity, in the calm, ceaseless plunge. As long 
as the car remained, the boys stood silent in the 
rain, watching the majestic sight before them. 

At last the warning bell sounded, and all four 
clambered back into their seats. A reaction had 
come now, and the tense feelings quickly gave 
place to those that were at the other extreme 
from those which had been holding them. 

tell you, old man, I wouldn^t have missed 
that sight for a farm,’^ exclaimed Larcum as he 
placed his hand on John^s shoulder. 

“I am not impressed by the immaculateness of 
your prehensile manipulators,’^ retorted John as 
he shook off his friend’s hand. ^^This ride has not 
been altogether conducive to cleanliness, and I 
object to attempts to render the Canadian earth- 
marks less transitory than by the inherent con- 
ditions of the atmospheric pressure they were 
designed to be.” 

^^Oh, Boston! Boston! What sins are com- 
mitted in thy name,” declaimed Lee, as his com- 


88 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


panions broke into shouts of laughter. Didn’t 
I warn you that Jack had been working on the 
dictionary day and night?” 

merely wished to elongate my vocabulary 
so that it might be commensurate with the gigan- 
tic manifestations of nature’s inimitable and 
unequivocal manifestations of her primeval pos- 
sibilities,” declared John, solemnly. 

Again the delight of his friends found noisy 
expression, a delight increased by the apparent 
astonishment expressed on John’s face. There 
were only a few other passengers in the car, and 
their interest in the boys was marked by the 
smiles with which they watched the young 
travellers. 

The car was now speeding through the national 
park, and the boys looked about them with 
interest, although in comparison with the sights 
they had just seen the quiet beauty of the land- 
scape seemed tame and sober. In a brief time 
they had been transferred to the car which was 
to carry them back to the city, and then the full 
reaction came. 

^^It’s a pity,” said John, ^Hhat there should be 
even a fear that a corporation might destroy such 
a piece of nature’s work as Niagara Falls by 


NIAGARA 


89 


turning it into a money-making concern. It^s 
bad enough for a man to do that with himself, 
but when it comes to such a piece of vandalism — 
don^t just know what ^ vandalism^ is,^^ 
interrupted Larcum, quickly, ^^but if Niagara can 
be made useful, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be 
done.” 

^^Yes, that’s the Western idea. You’d sell the 
sky for thirty cents if you could get hold of it,” 
retorted John. ^^You don’t seem to be able to 
see anything in the world that is good for any- 
thing unless it pays. You wouldn’t have any 
flowers, for you wouldn’t waste the color. You 
wouldn’t have any poetry in life ; you’d make it 
all prose.” 

^^I’ll show you just as much ^poetry,’ as you 
call it, in a thousand-acre wheatfield as you 
want,” replied Larcum, good-naturedly. don’t 
think there’s any less poetry because wheat is 
growing in the field where a little while before 
there was nothing but wild, coarse, prairie grass.” 

^^But you are so material in all your views.” 

^^I’ll leave it to the crowd which squeezes a 
penny harder — your poetic New Englander or 
your man from what you call ^the wild and woolly 
West.’” 


90 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^We^re not going to get into this quarrel/’ 
said Scott. ‘‘1 want you all to take particular 
notice that we’re just flying/’ he added, as the 
speed of the car markedly increased. 

^‘Do you mean flying or fleeing?” demanded 
John. 

mean what I say, my erudite Bostonese. 
But a fly can flee if it wants to, can’t it?” 

^^So I fancy. But a flea cannot fly.” 

^^Oh, yes, it can. A flea can say to a fly, ^Let 
us flee.’” 

^^It can flee, but it can’t fly. I told you that.” 

^^But you are mistaken. A fly and a flea one 
time flew through a flaw in the flue — ” 

^^Oh, quit that!” exclaimed Scott. ^Tretty 
soon you’ll be telling us that you saw a cowslip 
or heard a crocus — ” 

But a groan from his companions caused Scott 
to subside, and for a time the boys were com- 
paratively silent. 

say,” began Scott, ^^if this storm keeps up. 
Lake Erie will be pretty well stirred up by the 
time we’re ready to sail. I don’t suppose these 
little inland ponds amount to much in a storm, 
but I’d be willing to donate a dollar to some 
worthy object just to see Larc seasick.” 


NIAGARA 


91 


^^Were you sick when you crossed the ocean 
demanded Lee. 

^^Not a minute. Didn^t lose a meal/^ replied 
Scott. 

^^You needn^t make fun of us if we happen to 
give in,” said John. 

^^Oh, don^t you worry about that,” laughed 
Scott. ^^Idl be on hand to help you out. But 
it is funny to hear these inland fellows talk about 
the seas and ships when they don^t know the 
difference between a belaying pin and a fo’castle 
yarn.” 

^^Do you know the difference?” demanded 
Larcum. 

^^I^m not boasting,” replied Scott, '^but I 
always think it^s great when I hear a man from 
the prairies talking about ships. There was a 
member of Congress at our home not long ago, 
and he was telling at the dinner table about a 
congressman from Arkansas who was a member 
of the committee on naval affairs, and he never 
once in all his life had been on board any sort of 
a boat. Well, one day he went down to Newport 
News to inspect ^ one of the new battleships they 
were building there. A young naval officer had 
him in charge, and was pointing out to the 


92 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


congressman some of the special points in the 
construction of the new battleship. They were 
on the deck of the ship and walking about when 
all at once they came to an open hatchway, and 
the Arkansas statesman stopped as if he had been 
shot, and grabbing the officer by the arm, he 
looked down the hatchway and exclaimed: ^She^s 
a fraud ! She^s all hollow ! Yes, sir, she’s hollow, 
and I know she is. I’ll report it to Congress just 
the minute I’m back in Washington.’” 

Scott,” said John, seriously, ^^what was the 
name of that man?” 

^^I don’t know.” 

^'What was the name of the battleship?” 
don’t know that, either.” 

^^When did this occur?” 

^^I can’t say.” 

^^My friend, I don’t mean to impugn your 
veracity, but I question the reliabihty of the 
sources from which you derived your information.” 


CHAPTER VIII 


ON LAKE ERIE 

In spite of the storm the young travellers 
arranged for a drive in the city in the afternoon. 
The wide boulevards, the streets with beautiful 
homes on either side, the air of enterprise and 
prosperity that was apparent wherever they 
went, were all deeply impressive as well as inter- 
esting, and when they returned to the hotel it 
was Scott who admitted that Buffalo certainly was 
one of the most beautiful cities he had ever seen. 

^^Good for you, Scott exclaimed Larcum. 
have hopes of you yet. When you get over 
your narrow New York provincialism and begin 
to see with your own eyes that there is something 
worth seeing outside Manhattan Island, you’ll 
become as enthusiastic an American as I am.” 

^'But you can’t show us another such city as 
this,” protested Scott. 


93 


94 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

^'You wait/^ replied Larcum, with a laugh. 

Scott, do you really think Idl be seasick?” 
inquired Lee. 

Seasick! The man who would get sick on 
one of these ponds isnT worth mentioning in 
good company ! I'd as soon think of getting 
seasick in a bath-tub.” 

think I'd be willing to try it myself if I 
could only have your company/' exclaimed 
Larcum. ^^But I suppose it's too much to ex- 
pect of a man who has crossed the ocean and has 
seen Cigoli's picture of the aged Simeon wearing 
spectacles. Still, we'll live in hope.” 

The storm showed signs of breaking when on 
Monday morning the four friends made their way 
to the pier where the Juniata was lying. Even 
Scott acknowledged that she was a much larger 
craft than he had expected to see, and as soon as 
the boys had received the keys to their rooms they 
at once followed the porter who took their bags. 
The rooms were adjoining and comfortably fur- 
nished, and they immediately unpacked some of 
their belongings and made their arrangements for 
the voyage of four days which was about to be'gin. 
Scott and Larcum were to occupy one room, 
and the other was assigned to John and Lee. 


ON LAKE ERIE 


95 


When the four made their way again to the 
deck, Scott awoke the enthusiastic plaudits of 
his companions over the garb he had donned. 
A natty suit of blue and a striking white yacht- 
ing cap adorned his person, and with every 
appearance of being impressed the three boys 
expressed their delight. 

Let’s toss up to see who’s to have the upper 
and who the lower berth,” suggested Scott, in an 
attempt to divert the marked attentions of his 
friends. 

^^Go ahead,” responded John, as he drew forth 
a coin from his pocket. ^^Larc and I’ll take heads, 
and if it comes down heads, then he and I’ll have 
the lower berths.” 

John tossed the coin into the air, and as it fell 
upon the deck all four crowded about it. 

^^Tails it is,” exclaimed Lee. ^^We are all 
right, Scott. The fates are with us, and we’ll 
take the lower berths.” 

That’s just my luck,” responded Larcum, in 
apparent despair. ^^I’ll have to wire my father, 
I think. He’s always telling me Hhere’s room at 
the top.’ He’ll be encouraged about me when he 
learns that I’ve started out so well.” 

His friends laughed, and then began to watch 


96 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


with interest the huge boat as it swung loose 
from the dock and began to move slowly out 
toward the lake. The rain had ceased falling, but 
the wind was still strong, and as they drew near 
the massive breakwaters, they could see that the 
open lake was a mass of tossing waves. 

Wedl get a little taste of a good sea, after all,’^ 
said Scott, gleefully. I donT think itdl amount 
to much, but if I could only see you fellows hanging 
over the rail for half an hour, I^d die content. 

^^You may have your wish,^^ said Lee, a trifle 
apprehensively, as the boat, now under the full 
force of the wind, began to roll and pitch. 

^^Oh, the Juniata has a bilge keel and all that,^^ 
said Larcum, lightly, ^^so there wonT be any 
trouble. I donT just know what a ^ bilge keek 

is, but it^s a good thing for seasickness, I under- 
stand.’^ 

^^If you’re not afraid, you won’t have any 
trouble,” said Scott, lightly. ^'Half the cause of 
seasickness, anyway, is in being afraid you’ll get 

it. ” 

'^I’m not afraid,” laughed Lee. ^Tome on; 
let’s go on the sheltered side.” 

^'You mean the Tee’ side, don’t you?” in- 
quired Scott, blandly. 


ON LAKE ERIE 


97 


There are some things worse than seasick- 
ness, and if Scott Gordon dares to try that again, 
I move that we fire him overboard, exclaimed 
Lee. 

^^He deserves it,’^ laughed John. '^That cer- 
tainly is the worst I ever heard. But we donT 
want to break up the party that way. We’ll 
have to do as B. Franklin suggested to Con- 
gress, — ^hang together or we’ll be hanged sepa- 
rately.’” 

Speak for yourself, Scott!” exclaimed Lar- 
cum. 

^^But it’s better to keep together, whatever 
you say,” protested Scott. ^^In onion there is 
strength.” 

A groan greeted Scott’s deformed pun, and Lee 
said, That’s a poor one. It’s a regular Hiber- 
nian.” 

''You mean Gaelic, don’t you?” retorted 
John. 

"No, I meant Garlic,” said Scott, in a low voice. 

"Whew!” exclaimed Larcum, as he gave 
Scott’s chair a push that almost sent its occu- 
pant to the floor. "This is too strong for me.” 

"Don’t do that again,” said Scott, soberly. 
"I don’t feel very well this morning.” 


98 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Seasick!^’ exclaimed the three boys, de- 
lightedly. 

such thing retorted Scott, sharply.. 
^^IVe just got one of my headaches. It’ll be 
gone when we have our luncheon.” 

^^To say nothing of the luncheon going, too,” 
exclaimed John. 

Would you feel better, Scott, if we left you 
alone?” inquired Larcum, in apparent sympathy. 

Isn’t he better when he’s alone?” he demanded, 
turning to his fellows as he spoke. 

^^I never happened to be with Scott when he 
was alone,” said Lee, demurely. ^^Did any of you- 
all?” 

^Tan’t say that I did, for one,” said Larcum. 
^^I declare I do believe Scott’s face is getting 
pale. Is the headache worse, my poor boy?” 

^^I’m all right,” retorted Scott; but his face 
certainly was pale, and his unsympathetic friends 
noisily expressed their dehght. 

‘‘1 say, Scott,” suggested Larcum, soberly, 
^^you said something a while ago about your 
preferring a bath-tub to one of these fresh-water 
ponds. If you’d like me — ” 

^'I’d hke you to keep still,” muttered Scott, no 
longer able to conceal his misery. ^^I’ll get over 


ON LAKE ERIE 


99 


my headache pretty soon and be all right 
again 

^^Want me to go down and get you something 
to eat?^^ suggested Larcum. ^^Some nice sweet 
apples, or some salt pork — ” 

^^No. No. I don^t want anything/^ broke in 
Scott, unable to endure even the suggestions his 
friends had made. ^^Just leave me alone.^’ 
^^Figuratively, actually, physically, or meta- 
phorically?^^ inquired John. But his friend 
made no response, and sat with his head leaning 
back against the side of the cabin. His head- 
ache manifestly was becoming more severe. The 
three boys gazed at their friend with delight, but 
his eyes were now closed and apparently he was 
indifferent to his surroundings or companions. 

^^This certainly is a pretty ^pond,^ as Scott 
called it,^^ suggested Lee, as he looked across the 
wide expanse of tossing waters. The sun was 
now struggling to appear, and the low-lying 
clouds were scudding across the face of the sky. 
The billows were tipped with foam, and the great 
waves could be seen on every side. The stanch 
Juniata rolled and pitched as she steadily ploughed 
her way onward, and the experience was certainly 
an enjoyable one to all except Scott, who, if the 

uorc; 


100 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


color of his face was any indication of his feelings, 
was suffering from a headache which gave no 
promise of speedily departing. 

Where do we stop first, Larc?^^ inquired Lee. 

“Cleveland. Due there about dusk.^’ 

“Do we have any chance to see the town?^^ 

“Two hours.^^ 

“That^s better than nothing. How large a 
place is it?^^ 

“More than a half million, suggested John, 
who had been “reading up.^^ 

“On paper or on the earth inquired Lee, 
derisively. 

^ ^ On earth, retorted Larcum, warmly. ^ ^ Cleve- 
land’s a fine town. Why, Euclid Avenue alone 
has fifteen miles of beautiful homes ; it’s a hundred 
and sixty feet wide and paved the whole length 
of it. Everybody knows it’s the most beautiful 
residence street in the world.” 

“Who acknowledges it?” demanded Scott, 
opening his eyes for a moment. “The people that 
live in Cleveland, I fancy.” 

“Everybody that has seen it says so,” said 
Larcum, warmly. “If your headache lets up, 
Scott, you’ll be able to see for yourself.” 

But the “headache” apparently was too severe 


ON LAKE ERIE 


101 


to permit Scott to continue the conversation, 
and he resumed his former position, and sat with 
closed eyes and colorless face, with his chair 
tipped back against the wall. 

^'Cleveland is the largest ship-building centre 
in America,^^ continued John. 

^^Good! Good!^^ murmured Lee. 

^^More nails and wire are manufactured here 
than at any other plant in the world. 

^^Good! Good!^^ repeated Lee. ^^You are 
going one better all the time. First it^s ^America, ' 
then it^s Hhe world. ^ Now what does Cleveland 
surpass the universe in?^’ 

^'The largest sewing-machine manufacturers in 
the world,^^ read John, with a laugh. 

You refer to the dimensions of the avoirdupois 
personality of the gentlemen who own the fac- 
tories, I fawncy. At least, suh, that^s what I 
should ^fawncy’ Fd say if I was a native Bos- 
tonian,’^ said Lee. 

^'Largest paint manufacturers in the United 
States,” continued John, reading from the circular 
in his hand. 

^^You’re getting into narrow ways again,” 
suggested Lee. That isn’t much. Now if you’d 
say that they could beat the painter of the rain- 
bow or give points to Aurora — ” 


102 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Largest manufacturers of electric-light car- 
bons in the world/^ read John, ignoring the in- 
terruption. Largest manufacturers of saddlery 
hardware in the world. One of the finest park 
and boulevard systems in the United States — 
say, John,’^ interrupted Larcum, as he 
glanced at the pale face of Scott for a moment, 
anything said there about the size of the head- 
aches they manufacture out here?^^ 

^^Say, fellows,^^ said Lee, quickly, ^disten to 
this; it^s right in our line — or Jack’s anyway, 
with the size of his stories.” As he spoke, Lee 
unfolded the morning paper in his hands and 
began to read: woman living in a town not 

far from New York commissioned her husband 
while in the city to purchase a motto for the Sun- 
day-school. After he had left, it suddenly oc- 
curred to her that she had neglected to tell him the 
desired inscription or the size of the card. Going 
to a near-by telegraph office, she wrote out a mes- 
sage to her husband containing the necessary 
information and handed it to the operator. It 
read as follows : — 

‘John Johnson, — Broadway, New York City. 
“‘Unto Us a Child is Born — 8 feet long and 5 feet 
wide. ’ ” 


ON LAKE ERIE 


103 


^^What^s that got to do with Scott 'head- 
ache/ I^d like to know?^^ demanded Larcum, 
when the shout that had greeted Lee's reading 
had subsided. 

"Oh, nothing much/' responded Lee. "I was 
just thinking of the size of Scott's headache. I 
'fawncy ' Jack might incorporate — I think that's 
the word — might incorporate in the literature 
he's reading to us that Cleveland — at least Lake 
Erie — manufactures the largest headaches in the 
world. How is that, Scott?" 

But the wretched young traveller made no re- 
sponse as he suddenly darted to the rail. The 
shouts of his comrades apparently had no effect, 
for, ignoring their bantering words, he grasped 
the post and stood leaning over the rail, the picture 
of abject misery. 

"Scott seems to be interested in the heaving 
waters of this fresh-water pond," suggested John, 
gravely. 

"It isn't the heaving waters that are interesting 
him just now," remarked Lee. "Here, I'm going 
to help him if none of you fellows will." 

The impulsive young Southerner at once ran 
to the side of his suffering friend, but the wind 
was still blowing strongly, and just as he gained 


104 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


his place a sudden gust lifted Scott^s natty 
yachting cap from his head and carried it far 
out to sea. Now up and then down it was carried ; 
now whirling about like a thing alive, and then 
skimming the water like a flying bird, it was 
borne a hundred feet from the Juniata before, 
it fell into the lake and disappeared. 

^^Oh, that^s too badP^ exclaimed Lee, sym- 
pathetically. 

don^t care. Let it go!^^ the wretched 
Scott managed to say. don’t care if the 
wind takes my head, too !” he murmured. 

^Tome on, old fellow, we’ll go down to the 
cabin. You’ll feel better when you can lie down. 
I’ve had just such headaches myself.’’ 

Obediently Scott suffered himself to be led 
away by Lee; but Larcum, apparently without 
mercy or sympathy, called after them: — 

say, Scott! Looking for that bath-tub?” 


CHAPTER IX 


AN ALARM 

It was not long after the retirement of Scott 
and Lee before the wind shifted and the sun ap- 
peared. The tossing waves became quiet and 
the shallow waters of Lake Erie speedily became 
like those of the fresh-water pond of which Scott 
had spoken so disdainfully. The three boys, with 
their chairs on the upper deck, were seated to- 
gether, for Lee had soon returned, and were en- 
joying the scene which spread out before them. 
In the distance on their left they could see the 
shores of the United States, and on the opposite side 
the surface of the lake was unbroken except by the 
sight of an occasional distant sail or the trail of 
smoke that indicated the passing of some steamer. 
The spirits of the boys were high, and now that 
Scott was not present in person to listen to their 
bantering words they had nothing but expressions 
of sym.pathy for their missing comrade. 

106 


106 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

When an hour had elapsed, however, Scott 
himself joined them, and his appearance was at 
once the signal for a derisive shout from his 
merciless friends. 

''I say, Scott,'^ was Larcum^s greeting, ^^IVe 
got a nice picture of you when that ^ headache^ 
was getting in its fine work. I snapped you when 
that be-eau-tiful yachting cap of yours set sail 
out over this ^fresh-water pond.^ I^m going to 
send it home to your mother.’^ 

^^Youhe going to do nothing of the kind!^’ 
retorted Scott, striving to display an air of in- 
difference which he was far from feeling, as his 
friends well laiew. 

^^Oh, yes, I am,^^ asserted Larcum. '^She 
really ought to see how you look when you have 
one of your frightful headaches.^' 

^‘She’ll know it was a headache, all right enough. 
My mother is a good woman and she won^t be- 
lieve any lies about me,’^ retorted Scott. 

^^Your mother doesn^t count, suggested Lee. 
^^Even ^Heaven lies about us in our infancy.^ 
Never you mind, Scott,^^ said John, soothingly, 
when his friends shouted their approval of Lee^s 
words. believe you had a headache. You 
had every one of the symptoms. I don’t think 
you were putting anything on at all.” 


AN ALARM 


107 


John^s sympathetic words, however, only called 
forth another derisive shout from the boys, but 
as Scott soon became quiet and refused to reply 
to their words, the pleasure of tormenting him 
was gone, and the boys gave themselves up un- 
reservedly to the enjoyment of the day. 

I think this line ought to be called the ‘Hanker’ 
line,” suggested Scott, as the noon hour came. 
“It’s Anchor with a rough breathing if I can 
judge by my feelings. I never was so hungry 
in my life. I’m ready for luncheon.” 

“They say that one of those ‘headaches,’ which 
a man sometimes gets out here on this fresh- 
water pond, is very likely to affect him that 
way,” said Larcum, soberly. 

“Never you mind that!” retorted Scott, who 
now was fully recovered from his attack. “It 
was just a headache, whatever you say. I’ll 
show you how I feel now when we get into the 
dining room.” 

“We’ll go in ten minutes,” explained Larcum, 
as he glanced at his watch. “I arranged for our 
seats at the first table.” 

“Good for you, Larc!” said Scott, enthu- 
siastically. “Let’s go down now so that we 
shan’t lose our places, anyway.” 


108 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Apparently the boys were all agreed, and at 
once departed for their rooms to prepare for 
luncheon. When they met again, as they did 
in a few moments, they found a crowd already 
assembled before the dining-room entrance, but 
the doors were not yet open, and they were 
therefore compelled to wait with the other pas- 
sengers. In a brief time the door was opened, 
and displaying their meal tickets, the boys were 
speedily admitted and assigned to four seats at 
a table where they were told they were to report 
for each meal during the four days of their 
voyage. 

To the surprise of Lee and John, they perceived 
that seated directly opposite was the smooth- 
visaged man who had introduced himself to John 
at Albany and with whom Lee had journeyed 
from Utica to Buffalo. The discovery apparently 
was not altogether pleasing to John, but the 
stranger smiled a recognition and was plainly 
disposed to enter into conversation. Lee, who 
had not been so strongly prejudiced against the 
man as his friend had been, was inclined to 
reply to his questions, but John seldom glanced 
toward the stranger, and when he was compelled 
to say something, did so briefly and quietly. 



“Here he is noav,” exceaimed Joiiisr. — Page 109, 






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AN ALARM 


109 


^^You young gentlemen are bound for Duluth, 
I suppose/^ suggested the man. 

^^Yes, suh/^ responded Lee. “And beyond 
there, too.^^ 

“Indeed. Where are you going, may I ask?’’ 

“Yellowstone,” said Lee, ignoring the momen- 
tary glance of disapproval that appeared on 
John’s face. 

“That is great!” said the stranger, cordially. 
“I am expecting to go there myself.” 

If the boys were impressed by the information, 
no one betrayed it, and as soon as the luncheon 
had been eaten they at once returned to the deck. 

“I don’t like the looks of that man,” said 
John to Lee as they took their seats. 

“What’s the trouble with him?” 

“^He’s too sweet to be wholesome,’ as our cook 
said of our grocery man once when she found he 
was short in his weights.” 

“Well, you don’t have to cultivate his ac- 
quaintance if you don’t desire it.” 

“Oh, I shan’t cultivate it. I’m afraid he’ll 
cultivate ours, though. Here he is now,” ex- 
claimed John, in a low voice, as the stranger ap- 
proached them and, uninvited, smilingly took a 
chair and joined the circle. The boys were too 


110 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

polite to leave at once, and apparently unaware 
that his presence was not desired, the man im- 
mediately began to talk. 

^^Ever taken this trip before?” he inquired. 

''No, sir,” replied Scott. 

"Great trip.” 

As no one seemed to be prepared to dispute 
the assertion, there was a silence for a moment, 
and then the stranger began again, evidently 
striving to interest the boys. "I can’t walk very 
much to-day,” he suggested. 

"Fortunate for you that you don’t have to,” 
said Scott, although the stranger’s inability to 
walk was not obvious. 

"Came about this way,” continued the man. 
"I was spending a part of last week with a friend 
at his home in one of the suburbs of New York. 
He had a new house, and he was very eager to 
have me see ih, as it had all the latest improve- 
ments, including hardwood floors, so hard and 
slippery that one could slide the length of the 
room if he happened to strike a rug just right. 
Well, last Friday night was a very sultry, warm 
night, as you may recall, and I didn’t sleep very 
well, — the hot weather and the mosquitoes 
together kept me awake, — and about daylight I 


AN ALARM 


111 


became so thirsty that I decided I must have a 
drink of water. So just as I was, and without 
dressing, as I knew no one would be stirring at 
such an early hour, I slipped out of my room and 
went down to the dining room in my bare feet, 
as I knew there was ice water there. Well, I had 
my troubles just the minute I struck the hard- 
wood floors. The wood was all new, as I told 
you, and, though my friend insisted that the oil 
was dry, I very soon discovered that it was not, 
for my bare feet stuck almost fast with every 
step I took. But I kept on to the dining room 
and found the ice water just as I thought I would, 
and I stood there and drank three glasses before 
I stirred. Then when I tried to get away I found 
I couldnT, for both my feet were fast to the floor. 
I tugged and pulled, but it wasnT of any use, for 
I was anchored in my tracks, so to speak, just 
glued to the floor. And the soles of my feet were 
very tender, too. Well, I tried pulling at my 
ankles, then I tried to crawl away, but it didnT 
do any good. I was there fast and for good. 
At last I had to call my friend, and when he came 
in answer to my shouts he managed to pull me 
loose, but it was a good deal like tearing paper 
from the wall. He laughed and laughed, but I 


112 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


can assure you that I couldn^t find anything very 
funny in it. It hurt me, too, and I left the 
bottoms of my feet there in my friend^s dining 
room. He assured me that the oil couldn’t have 
been dried,' after all, and I agreed with him. 
I have been lame ever since.” 

didn’t see you hmp,” suggested John, 
soberly. 

^^No, I don’t limp much, but it is because one 
foot is just as sore as the other,” replied the man, 
laughing loudly as he spoke. 

Lee was the only one of the boys to join in his 
laughter, the others all following the example of 
John, who had not even smiled during the recital 
of the man’s mishaps. Indeed, his feeling of irri- 
tation at the presence of the stranger was so keen 
that it was only with difficulty that he repressed 
it. 

The man, however, still apparently unabashed 
by the lack of interest, was not able to remain 
silent. ^H’ve come out on this trip all alone,” 
he explained. need a change, a rest. Boys, 
what relative of his wife is a man most fond of?” 
he demanded suddenly. 

^H’m sure I don’t know. It depends on the 
man, doesn’t it?” inquired Scott. 


AN ALARM 


113 


^^Not at all. It^s true of every one. The 
relative of his wife that a man is most fond of 
is his wife^s husband. See? And the stranger 
threw back his head and laughed loudly at his 
own joke. 

The boys failed to respond, even Lee remain- 
ing silent, and John was on the point of leaving 
when suddenly a commotion became apparent 
and there was a rush of the people toward the 
stern of the boat. 

^^What is it?^^ demanded Lee, in excitement, 
fire, I think,^^ replied the man. 

The boys waited to hear no more, and in intense 
excitement ran to join the throng. John glanced 
anxiously toward the distant shore, trying to 
estimate what his chance would be if he should 
be compelled to swim. His face was colorless, 
too, and stories of fires at sea came to him like 
a flash. He could see that all his friends were 
as excited as he, except Scott, who was coolly 
watching the crew on the deck below as they 
prepared to man the fife-boats. Indeed, a smile 
appeared on his face that was so irritating to 
John that the latter exclaimed sharply : — 

^AVhat are you laughing at? It is no time for 
a grin, let me tell you !” 


114 FOUR BQYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

^^Isn^t it?^’ responded Scott, amiably. ^^Don^t 
be nervous, my friend. This fresh-water pond 
has other ways of giving people headaches than 
by kicking up a heavy sea.^^ 

^^But, man ahve,” exclaimed John, ^^if there is 
a fire — ” 

^^That’s only a fire-drilV^ interrupted Scott. 

^^What ! IsnT there a fire?’^ 

^^Only under the boilers and perhaps in the 
cook^s ranges. 

For a moment John stared blankly at his 
friend and then looked around him at the assem- 
bled people. Some of them were laughing, others 
were chatting, but no one seemed to be alarmed 
as they all watched with interest the drill of 
the crew on the lower deck. 

‘^1 say, Scott, said John, foolishly, donT 
think Idl ever refer to the ^ headaches^ again if 
youdl forget about the fire-drills.” 

^^And you are sure you wonT mention them 
when you get back?” inquired Scott, a broad 
smile appearing on his face. 

Honor bright.” 

^AVell, I’ll think about it,” said Scott, taunt- 
ingly. 'H’ll wait and see how it affects you and 
the other fellows. If they or you — ” 


AN ALARM 


115 


not responsible for what they may say/' 
interrupted John. 

^^Oh, yes, you are; yes, you are. I'll hold you 
responsible." 

^^Well, hold away," broke in John; but his 
friend only laughed in response. 

The fire-drill by this time was ended and the 
boys sought seats in the stern of the boat. There 
a great flock of gulls were following in the steamer's 
wake, now swooping low to the water's edge and 
then rising in graceful curves, but never leaving 
the Juniata far away. Tirelessly, ceaselessly, the 
beautiful birds followed, their weird, mournful 
cries piercing the air, and the interest of the pas- 
sengers in the great cloud seemed to be un- 
diminished as the hours passed. The too friendly 
stranger had not reappeared, and the boys, re- 
joicing in their freedom, watched the circling gulls 
or read their magazines for several hours. 

suppose Detroit is quite a good-sized town 
too, Larc," suggested John at last. 

Instantly rising to the implied slight and fail- 
ing to see the twinkle in John's eyes, Larcum 
said: ^^If that isn't like you Boston people! 
Just like you ! You don't know any more than 
the New Yorkers what your own country is like. 


116 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


good-sized town !’ Why, I’d like to have you 
know that Detroit has more than three hundred 
and fifty thousand inhabitants !” 

^^Indeed?” drawled John. ^^You surprise me. 
But then these new Western towns have a way of 
springing up in the night.” 

Don’t you know Detroit is one of the oldest 
towns in the United States?” demanded Larcum, 
warmly. ^^You could tell to a dot how many 
men, women, and children were in Rome or 
Athens or Carthage, but you don’t know half 
as much about your own country as you do 
about cities that have been dead and buried a 
thousand years. And you call that an educa- 
tion!” 

^‘Ignorance is bliss sometimes,” drawled John. 
^^Larc, do we stop at Podunk?” 

^^We stop at Cleveland.” 

^^Ah, so we do. That’s in Ohio, isn’t it?” 

^'Humph!” sniffed Larcum, as he looked away 
to the gulls. 

The boys had just risen from the dinner table 
when the huge steamer came alongside a long 
dock, and it was announced that they had arrived 
in Cleveland. 


CHAPTER X 

ON SHORE 

The four boys rushed from the dining room, 
and hastily exchanging their caps for hats (a 
duty in which Scott, however, was not compelled 
to join), at once prepared to take advantage of 
the two hours during which the Juniata was to 
stop at Cleveland. 

As they approached the gang-plank, they per- 
ceived that two women were standing upon it 
engaged in the pleasing task of exchanging long 
and heart-breaking farewells. The boys were un- 
able to pass them, and being too polite to crowd 
the ladies, they were compelled to wait and listen 
to the oft-repeated words. 

Good-by, Sarah, exclaimed one of the women 
as for the fifth time she embraced her friend. 

'^Good-by, Martha,’^ responded the other 
woman returning the embrace. 

117 


118 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^Don^t forget to write me/^ 

won^t. And you must be sure to write me” 
will. Give my love to Will and the boys.^^ 

^Wou didn’t forget any of your wraps, did you?” 
don’t know. I think I have everything.” 

^‘Well, good-by,” and again the two women 
embraced. 

^'Good-by. Good-by !” 

^^When will you come back?” 

^^Oh, I don’t know. I may stay a month.” 

^^Well, don’t forget to write.” 

^^No, I won’t. Give my love to everybody.” 

^^What a delightful trip we had, didn’t we?” 

^^Yes. Perfectly lovely.” 

^^Good-by.” 

Good-by,” and again the woman saluted. 

^^This seems to be a sort of ^Much adieu about 
nothing,’” suggested Scott, in a low voice. 

Excuse us, ladies, but will you kindly permit 
us to pass?” inquired Larcum of the two women, 
who as yet had not moved from the gang-plank. 

The two women moved sufficiently to enable 
the boys to reach the dock and, beginning to run, 
they made their way swiftly to the terminal of 
the trolley cars. There would be an opportunity 
only for a brief ride, and they quickly decided to 


ON SHORE 


119 


make the circuit in the car which they had 
boarded. 

Threading its way in and out among the 
tangled streets, the car took the boys past many 
stately buildings and through wide and imposing 
streets until at last they were on the avenues. 
There the beautiful residences could be seen on 
either side, and as Larcum at once entered into 
conversation with the conductor, they had many 
a place of special interest pointed out to them. 

There’s one thing I’ll confess,” said Scott, 
when at last the car turned and began to retrace 
its way to the point from which it had started. 

^^One!” exclaimed Lee, in mock surprise. 
^^One! Well, we ought to be thankful even for 
that much, I Tawncy.’ This trip will not be in 
vain if — ” 

^^What I was about to say,” interrupted Scott, 
^^was that the willingness of these trolley men to 
answer questions is refreshing. Just think of a 
New York conductor doing such a thing ! ” 

^^It’s impossible even to think of it,” retorted 
John. ^^The last time I was in New York the 
conductors couldn’t stop a car long enough to 
let one get on board. He’d get one foot on the 
platform and then somebody would grab him by 


120 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


the arms, the bell would ring, and off the car 
would go at break-neck speed. Why, in Boston 
they will stop long enough to let you on.^^ 

^^Oh, Boston is good at stopping,” admitted 
Scott, with a laugh, for however much he might 
abuse his own city, he would not permit another 
to decry it. ^^We all know Boston stops. It’s 
done that better than any other city in the United 
States. The trouble is that they don’t know 
they’ve stopped, that’s all.” 

They’ve got a college here,” suggested Lar- 
cum; ^Tt’s too bad — ” 

^^That is unfortunate,” remarked Lee, soberly. 

Every one of these towns has to have a college, 
but to have a ^bad’ college — that’s almost too 
much.” 

didn’t say it was a ^bad’ college,” retorted 
Larcum,. warmly. said it was too bad we 
couldn’t see it.” 

^Wes, and all the avenues and boulevards and 
parks and Garfield’s monument — ” 

^^Just now I want to see the Juniata more 
than anything else,” broke in John. 

^^This is no pent-up Utica, Jack,” suggested 
Lee. ^^You won’t get left here, suh; at least you 


ON SHORE 


121 


^^WeVe plenty of time/’ said Scott. think 
we’ve seen Cleveland under the very best of 
lights,” he added soberly. 

^^Lights !” exclaimed Larcum. ^^Why, it’s too 
dark to see what it really is.” 

^^That’s what I meant.” 

As his companions laughed, Larcum said: ^^Let 
me tell you that Cleveland doesn’t mind your 
opinions. She’ll get along all right without them. 
I don’t see why you fellows are forever looking 
for something to poke fun at.” 

^^We aren’t, Larc,” said Scott, quickly. ^^We 
see the good side, but the trouble is I have to 
make everything so plain to these fellows that 
sometimes what I say sounds a bit like a kinder- 
garten talk.” 

Which means that he does the very highest 
that’s in him,” said Lee. 

^^Say, fellows, you don’t suppose we’ll have 
any such time in getting aboard as we had in 
coming ashore, do you?” inquired John. ^^If 
two female women should happen to be saying 
good-by, we’d have to make plans for spending 
the night here in this smoky — I beg pardon, I 
mean this beautiful city.” 

When the boys arrived at the dock, however, 


122 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


they discovered that there was no one to block 
their progress, and soon after they were on board 
the Juniata resumed her voyage, and the twin- 
kling lights of Cleveland speedily faded away in 
the distance. It was not long before the four 
friends were attracted to the music room by the 
sounds which were rising from it, and as they 
entered they became aware that their fellow-pas- 
senger, who had on previous occasions made 
himself known and obnoxious to them, was 
seated at the piano and with loud voice was 
singing for the benefit of the assembly ^^Old 
Black Joe.^^ 

say, John,^’ whispered Scott, always 
thought ^Old Black Joe^ was a pathetic piece, 
didn^t you?^^ 

^^It^s supposed to be.’^ 

^^Well, what are all these people smiling about, 
then, I'd like to know?" 

As John glanced about him he could see that 
his friend had spoken truly, for a partly sup- 
pressed smile was apparent on certain faces, 
while on others an expression of delight could be 
plainly seen. 

^^That isn't exactly the way he affects us, is 
it?" queried John. 


ON SHORE 


123 


affecting. going — Tm go-o-ing/^^ 

hummed Scott, in imitation of the supposedly 
pathetic tones of the singer, and he at once de- 
parted from the music room. 

A half-hour afterward his friends joined him 
on the deck, and as they approached, John said, 
^^Who in the world invited that man to sing?’^ 
^fawncy^ it was his wife^s husband,^’ replied 

Lee. 

^Toor woman sighed Scott. ^^IVe been 
looking up the facts about Detroit,’^ he added. 
‘‘1 thought I’d improve my mind while you were 
enjoying the music.” 

^ ^ Good idea ! ” assented John, cordially. ^ ^ Well, 
sir, are you prepared to inform us in what par- 
ticulars Detroit surpasses the rest of the world?” 

‘‘1 am,” replied Scott. ^Largest chemical 
laboratory in the world. Largest manufacturers 
of stoves in the world.’ ” 

^^More hot air here than anywhere else in the 
universe, then,” broke in John. 

‘ Most unique park in the world,’ ” continued 
Scott, reading and ignoring the interruption. 
^^^Only marine mail delivery in the world’ — ” 
Only what 9’’ demanded John. 

^^^Here the United States Post Office steamer 


124 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Florence B. in one season delivered to passing 
boats 345; 956 pieces of mail and received from 
them 101,626 pieces/ 

^^^Only marine mail delivery in the world, 
repeated John. 

^^Must have been some boats passing that 
season,’^ suggested Lee. 

^^There were. The figures are 20,249. More 
workingmen and mechanics own their homes in 
Detroit than in any other city in the country. 

^ ^ Good for Detroit ! That ^s something to take 
back to Boston, John,” began Larcum. 

You see — Just look and see what you see, 
fellows !” he hastily added in a lower tone. 

Near them was the musical” stranger, and as 
soon as he spied them he at once took a chair, 
and without waiting for an invitation again 
joined the group. 

^^You heard me singing?” he inquired. ^‘1 
saw you in the music room. I am one of those 
who believe it^s only fair to add what you can 
to the pleasure of the passengers. So I sang.” 

^^The people seemed very happy. I saw a 
smile on almost every face,” suggested Scott, 
dryly. 

^^Yes, it^s wonderful, isnT it? Strange what a 


ON SHORE 


125 


little thing does in such a place as this. By the 
way, boys, which is the most lucky letter in the 
alphabet 

^^Most lucky what?” inquired Larcum, sharply. 

^^The most lucky letter. You^d never guess it, 
so Idl tell you. It^s 

^ ^ How is that asked John. 

'^Why, it’s always in peace and never in war. 
It’s always in wealth and never in want. It’s 
in ease twice as much as any other letter. It 
comes at the very beginning of existence and 
without it there wouldn’t be any earth, or heaven 
or meal or life. Do you see ? If you don’t. 
I’ll explain it to you. Now the letter E is the 
first and the last letter in the word ^ease.’ See 
that?” 

^^Yes, I see,” replied John, soberly. ^^But I 
should not always agree with you. E is always 
in trouble, in theft, in bores, and in deadheads. 
It ought to be in jail, but it is in the pen any- 
way! It’s in the devil; and the devil is in it, and 
it’s the end of hope. Good-night, fellows,” he 
added. ^H’m going to bed. We are due in 
Detroit early in the morning, and I’m going to 
be up before the Larc. I’m going to see this 
town.” 


126 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


We’ll all turn in/’ said Scott, hastily, and 
politely bidding their unwelcome guest good 
night, they at once departed. 

The sun was shining brightly when the boys 
arose on the following morning, and as they peered 
out of their stateroom windows they could see 
that they were already within the limits of the 
Detroit River. The sight was a sufficient incentive 
to hasten their preparations for breakfast, and all 
four were soon in their seats in the dining room. 
Ample justice was done the food, despite their 
eagerness to witness the landing, and when they 
made their way to the deck, the great steamer 
was already close to the dock. Interested as the 
boys were in the landing, they nevertheless were 
not unmindful of the sight which the many boats 
on the river presented. Crafts of all kinds and 
sizes were plying up or down the stream, and in 
the glow of the perfect summer day,seemed almost 
like things alive. On the opposite shore of. the 
river they could see the buildings of the Canadian 
town of Windsor, and the fact that they were so 
near the border of their own country lent an 
additional element of interest to the view. It 
was not long, however, before the boys had made 
their way to the dock and there engaged a carriage 


ON SHORE 


127 


for the two hours which were to be granted in the 
city. 

First they were driven to some of the principal 
business sections, and the circular streets were 
as interesting as they were novel. 

^^No old cowpaths here,^^ exclaimed Larcum to 
John. ^^They didn^t take an old lane and turn 
it into a street the way they did in Boston. 

^^Oh, well, the chief thing about a street,^’ 
laughed John, ^^is that it leads somewhere. These 
circles are all right enough for those that like them, 
but I should think people would become wearied by 
perpetually bringing up just where they started.^’ 
^^That isnT the way of it at all said Larcum, 
warmly. ^^You see they studied a spider^s web, 
and found that it covered the most space and with 
the most convenient paths. So they let go of 
their old-fashioned ideas and just went to the 
ant and the spider — and were wise.^^ 

^^It certainly is fine,^’ admitted John. 

When they turned into the leading avenue and 
the wide stretch of the beautiful street with its 
imposing residences and wealth of shade trees 
and lawns as green as nature and cultivation could 
make them, the enthusiasm of the young travellers 
became more manifest. 


128 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


is certainly a beautiful city/^ said John, 
when at last their carriage turned back toward 
the dock. ^^And there is considerable refine- 
ment here for a new town, too,^^ he added 
graciously. Everything seems to be in quite 
good taste.’^ 

^ ^ Humph snorted Larcum, half angrily. 

^^That^s mighty kind of you. Detroit isn^t such 
a ^new^ town. I told you that before, though 
I^d rather be ^new’ and alive than ^old’ and dead, 
any day.^^ 

^ ^Tastes differ,’^ remarked John, in a manner 
that increased Larcum’s anger. 

^^Larc is right,^^ said Scott. ^HVe been look- 
ing the town up, you know. It was in 1701 when 
Sieur Antoine de la Matte Cadillac built Fort 
Pontchartrain right where the heart of Detroit 
now is. And La Salle had been here thirty years 
before that, too. The British gained possession 
of the place fifty-nine years after the French built 
the fort here, and then three years after that 
Pontiac besieged the place with his Ottawas 
for fifteen months. Oh, Detroit has a history, 
let me tell you. Jack, even if you canT read it 
on top of Bunker Hill.’’ 

^^Oh, that’s all right. It was here, too, in the 


ON SHORE 


129 


War of 1812, as I happen to remember reading, 
but that doesn^t make it so much of a town to- 
day ” replied John. 

Listen, my erudite Bostonian, said Scott, 
reading from the paper in his hand: ^During 
the eight months that navigation is open on the 
Great Lakes more tonnage passes Detroit in the 
Detroit River than enters London, the largest port 
in the world, in the entire year.^^^ 

don^t know about that,’’ said John, dubi- 
ously. ^^None of my teachers in Boston ever 
told me so.” 

A shout greeted the serious declaration, but 
the flush that for a moment appeared on John’s 
face departed when they now approached the 
dock. 


CHAPTER XI 

WILD ^ ^ BORES 

Standing near the gang-plank, and with every 
appearance of having been awaiting the return 
of the boys, was their talkative and unwelcome 
friend. 

There seems to be an air of superincrustation 
of transcontinental pedestrianism about that 
man,’^ said John, irritated by the broad smile 
with which the man greeted them. His dislike 
of the too friendly stranger he could not explain 
even to himself, but it was no less real because of 
his inability to define it. 

^^Well, my friends, exclaimed the man as the 
boys came aboard, ^Vhat did you think of 
Detroit 

^Ht^s a very pretty city, suh,^^ responded Lee. 

^^You may well say that. Perhaps you boys 
are a trifle hungry after your jaunt. I shall be 

130 


WILD BORES 


131 


very glad to have you share with me some of 
the food I purchased.’’ As he spoke, the man 
drew from his pocket a greasy package contain- 
ing several small pies and offered them to the 
boys. 

In spite of their inclination to laugh, Scott 
politely declined the offer for his companions as 
well as for himself, and all four at once departed 
hastily for the upper deck. To their delight, the 
man did not follow them, and when they had 
seated themselves, the Juniata had already cast 
off and was moving swiftly up the beautiful 
river. 

The sight which greeted their eyes was one of 
remarkable beauty, and the crafts of various kinds 
which they met, the wooded banks, the beautiful 
island parks and summer homes along the shores, 
in the bright sunlight of the summer day were 
inspiring. All except John seemed to give them- 
selves fully to the joy of the hour, and at last Lee, 
impressed by his friend’s continued silence, turned 
to him and said : — 

^^What is it, old man?” 

^^I’m thinking of what that man wanted us to 
eat.” 

^^Those pies?” laughed Lee. ^^That ought 


132 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

not to trouble you. I thought all the Yankees 
lived on pie/^ 

^ ^ Tie ’ ? You call those things pies ? They 
were nothing but sarcophagi of flies!’’ retorted 
John, in disgust. 

^ ‘ Well, never mind, ’’said Lee, soothingly. ^ ^ You 
didn’t have to eat them.” 

^To; but just fancy what you fellows would 
have had to put up with if I had. It was a 
narrow escape.” 

The steamer by this time had entered Lake 
Saint Clair, and even John no longer cherished his 
grudge as all four of the boys gazed eagerly over 
the waters. The channel was plainly marked, 
and it was evident that in many places the lake 
was shallow. Vessels laden with lumber, grain, 
or iron ore were frequently met, and on board of 
many of the last class the boys perceived parties 
of young people on deck or peering from the 
cabins, and the never-failing greeting of travellers 
was given and returned. Plainly, many of these 
parties consisted of people who by preference or 
opportunity in this manner had made the trip 
up the Great Lakes and were now on their home- 
ward voyage. 

When the Juniata passed out upon the broad 


WILD “BORES 


133 


expanse of Lake Huron, the scene changed again, 
and only the shore upon their left could be seen. 
But the exhilaration of the glowing sunlight, the 
clear air, and the glistening waters was continuous, 
and the spirits of all four boys were high. 

When they had returned to their places on the 
upper deck, however, after luncheon, a groan 
escaped John^s lips when he perceived that the 
man who had so frequently pestered them was 
once more about to join them as an unbidden 
and unwelcome addition to their party. 

^^Just look at him,” muttered John. There 
he comes pushing that smile of his before him 
like a man rolling his burden up the hill.” 

^^Keep still. Jack,” laughed Scott. ^^WeJl fix 
it so that he won’t stay long.” 

John’s mood manifestly was unchanged when 
the ^Tamiliar stranger” drew his chair alongside 
the young Bostonian’s and beamed upon the 
boys. 

^^So this is where you keep yourselves, is it?” 
he demanded, an expansive smile spreading over 
his face as he spoke. ^H’ve been looking for you 
all over the steamer. I tell you this is like the 
good old days,” he added as he glanced for a 
moment at the shore. know every foot of the 


134 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

way, but travelling now isn’t much like what it 
was when I first came up here.” 

^^Was that many years ago, suh?” inquired 
Lee, politely. 

^^Yes, more than I like to think of. Still, I do 
like to think of those times. I am a great believer 
in the simple life, and it was all simple then.” 

Sometimes there isn’t much difference between 
a simple life and an idiotic life,” suggested John, 
demurely. 

Ignoring the irritation of John, the stranger, 
his expansive smile still adorning his countenance, 
said: ^‘That’s because you live in an old town. 
That’s why you feel about it as you do. But 
just think for a moment how simple everything 
hereabout must have been a half-century ago. 
No complex civilization, no unnatural dress, no 
late hours, no — ” 

That’s so,” interrupted John. ^^No cooks, 
no beds, no lights, no streets, no wash-tubs, no 
books, no ideas, no — strangers. For my part 
I think these days are good enough for me. 
There’s lots of nonsense talked about the simple 
life. I don’t object to civilization myself.” 

^^You are quite right,” assented the man, 
blandly. ^^But still the older civilization has its 


WILD BORES 


135 


disadvantages. There are times when years are 
not the best measure of values.^’ 

^^That^s so/^ acknowledged John, soberly. 
was reading the other day about a time when the 
most fashionable color was TTsbeau,’ or Hhe 
Isabella.^” 

donT think I ever saw or heard of that 
color, said the man. 

The three boys were looking keenly at John, 
for by the tone of his voice they were aware 
that he was about to '^say something.^’ 

^^It came about in this way,^^ began John. 
Isabella, the daughter of Philip II, vowed not 
to change her apparel until Ostend was taken. 
The siege lasted something like three years, and 
the color of the lady^s apparel no longer retained 
the tint of its former immaculateness. It was of 
a highly subdued brownish tint, but immediately 
it became all the rage. It had the flavor of age and 
the sanction of royalty. But it still was one of the 
things that belonged to the ^good old days.^^^ 

Ah, yes. Quite right. Very humorous. Very 
humorous indeed, said the stranger, unabashed 
by the shouts of the boys. Then abruptly chang- 
ing the topic of conversation, he inquired, ^^Will 
you boys stop to do any hunting on your trip?^’ 


136 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


don^t expect to,” said Larcum, shortly. 

^^That^s a pity. There is rare sport to be had.^^ 
thought they wouldnT let any one shoot the 
game in the Yellowstone/^ said Scott. 

^^In the Yellowstone Park — yes,” assented the 
man. ^^But one doesnT have to do his hunting 
there. I myself have had some great experiences 
in Minnesota. Why, one time — this was fifteen 
years ago, I think — I was hunting near one of 
the lakes in the upper part of the State. You 
know the word ^ Minnesota ’ is an Indian word, and 
means ^many lakes ^ — there are a thousand of 
them within its borders, I understand. Let me 
see. Where was I ? I have lost the thread of my 
story. Oh, yes. I was telling about my hunt- 
ing moose, I think it was.’^ 

^^Do they have moose in Minnesota inquired 
Scott, quietly. 

^Tertainly. They can raise anything there 
that grows in this country. Well, I was out 
hunting, — as I was saying, — and I think it was 
late in the fall. Yes, I know it was, for there 
are reasons that make the date very clear in my 
recollection. But I’ll tell you about those some 
other time. Well, I was hunting up near one of 
the lakes in Northern Minnesota, that particular 


WILD ‘‘BORES 


137 


morning — it was the 8th of November, as I ex- 
plained to you, and about ten o^ clock. I had 
my gun with me — ” 

“Do you usually take your gun when you go 
hunting, suh?’^ inquired Lee. 

“Ah, yes. That^s a good one,’^ replied the 
man, joining in the laugh of the boys. “That’s 
very good indeed. I did happen to have my gun 
with me on this particular occasion, and it was 
very fortunate for me that I did, too, for I came 
right to a spot where I could see an immense 
buck standing on a knoll not fifty feet in front 
of me. I fired at him, and he must have leaped 
five feet into the air and then fell in a heap, dead, 
or at least I thought he was dead. He had every 
appearance of it. I drew my knife and ran up 
to bleed him, but I hadn’t touched his throat 
when he jumped up, and he was full of fight, too. 
To save myself I just grabbed him by the horns, 
and as luck would have it I managed to get a 
good hold. Then the buck dashed away, and 
there I was hanging to his horns for dear life.” 

“’Twas good of him to wait until you had a 
firm hold on his horns,” suggested Scott, quietly. 

“It certainly was very fortunate,” assented 
the man, not aware of anything implied in Scott’s 


138 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


words. took me at a lively pace over jagged 

rocks and through the thorny and tangled under- 
brush, banging me against the rocks and trees 
until my clothes were in tatters and my body a 
mass of bruises. We must have gone in that way 
half a mile before at last the buck stumbled over 
a log. The shock was so great that I was thrown 
ten feet in front of the log, and just the minute 
the buck found himself loose he started away — ” 

^^Did he ever come back, suh?^^ inquired Lee. 

'^Why, no, of course not. Why should he 
have come back?^^ said the man, simply. 

have heard there are a great many bears in 
the Yellowstone,^^ said Larcum. 

^^There are — a great many.'^ 

^^Do you suppose wedl see any?’’ 

^^Lots of them. Just as many as you want to 
see.” 

^^Do they bite?” 

^^They do not.” 

^^If not, why not?” persisted Larcum, soberly. 

Because no one is allowed to harm them. A 
bear won’t give you any trouble unless you make 
him angry. But speaking of bears — that re- 
minds me of another very strange and exciting 
adventure I once had with bears, and that, too^ 


WILD BORES 


139 


was in this region north of here. I had gone to 
Isle Royale with some friends, but we had gone 
to fish, and not to hunt bears. But we caught 
one and in the most peculiar manner. Now how 
do you suppose we caught it?’^ he demanded. 

Search me. I don^t believe youdl find a 
guess anjnvhere on my person,’^ drawled Larcum. 

^^Well, it was this way. We were fishing on the 
Big Siskiwit River. I think I told you of that, 
didn^t I? Well, that^s where it was, and my 
recollection is that at the time we were near the 
mouth of the river. I had a good-sized shiner 
on my hook, and I let the leader float down the 
stream. I saw that my line was carried by the 
current around a sharp bend so that I couldn^t 
see my bait. All at once I felt the most savage 
pull you ever heard of, and a yank that almost 
took my rod out of my hand. Now what do you 
suppose I had hooked 

bear,^^ suggested Scott. 

^^Yes, sir, that^s exactly what I had. A young 
bear was on the bank fishing, too, and when he 
saw my shiner he must have made a grab for it, 
and when he swallowed the bait, the hook caught 
him right in the lip. He was fast hooked. 

^Hs he there now?’’ demanded John. 


140 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^Why, no, certainly not. We took him back 
with us to Duluth.^^ 

Did you ever come across a wild ^ bore ’ in your 
travels in this part of the world inquired John, 
innocently, 

‘^No, I can’t say that I have,” replied the man, 
gazing in surprise at the boys, who had all laughed 
at John’s query. 

saw one back in Detroit,” said John. 

^^It must have been in the museum. Was it in 
captivity ? ” 

^^This one I saw wasn’t,” remarked John, 
soberly. ^^It ought to have been, but it wasn’t.” 

The four boys arose and sought another part of 
the steamer, but they had not long been there 
before their ^ Triend” appeared once more and 
joined them. Nor were they able to free them- 
selves from him for much of the* time throughout 
the day. 

At last, when Lee and John retired for the 
night to their room, Lee said : — 

^AVhat are we going to do. Jack, with that 
Theerful idiot’?” 

We’ll have to do something. We’re due at 
Mackinac Island early to-morrow morning, and 
they say it is one of the most interesting places in 


WILD BORES 


141 


all our trip. I wouldn^t have that man along 
with us for anything. 

mustn^t — that’s all. You can’t give him 
a hint that he is capable of taking. But we must 
think up some way to head him off. I may 
dream out something to-night, and I’ll be up 
with it early in the morning. You know, Jack, 
that those of low ^ berth ’ are usually the first to 
rise.” 

With a groan John reached for his pillow, and 
for a time there was a contest over the possession 
of the weapon,” but at last both boys desisted 
and sought their berths, with thoughts somewhat 
divided between the cheerful idiot and the beau- 
ties of Mackinac. 


CHAPTER XII 

A GAME OF BAGGATIWAY 

To the delight of the four young travellers their 
^Triend^^ did not appear at the breakfast table 
when they met there, nor had he come when 
they hurriedly departed from the dining room, 
as the word v/as passed about that the Juniata 
was within sight of Mackinac Island. They 
sought their accustomed places on the upper 
deck, and for a brief time.no one spoke as they 
gazed upon the marvellous sight before them. So 
smooth were the waters of the lake that scarcely 
a ripple could be seen, and the air was so clear 
that the outlines of the fort and the large hotels 
and even the dwelling houses on the island could 
be distinguished in the distance. The shore not 
far out from which the steamer was passing, the 
straits in the distance, the islands far away on 
the horizon, the glorious air of the summer day, 

142 


A GAME OF BAGGATIWAY 


143 


the blue of the sky, the high and rounded form of 
Mackinac Island, toward which they were steadily 
and swiftly moving, all combined to arouse within 
the hearts of the boys a glow of enthusiasm that 
seemed to be felt by every one of the passengers. 
It was a scene of marvellous beauty, and the 
thoughts of the associations with which the his- 
toric island was linked — of the Frenchmen, the 
missionaries, the traders, the soldiers, the Indians 
with their light canoes, as well as the more stately 
ships of war that all had been over the very 
waters over which they themselves were now 
sailing — aroused a feeling of deep interest. 

The numbers of the watching people on the 
deck steadily increased, and when three-quarters 
of an hour had elapsed the great steamer drew 
alongside the dock, and the passengers were all 
informed that they would have exactly two 
hours in which to view the wonders and beauties 
of the famous island. In spite of the early season 
many of the summer people were already here, 
and there was a goodly crowd assembled to watch 
the landing of the Juniata. 

Our four boys were among the first to leave 
the boat, and passing rapidly up the street came 
to the place where the carriages were in waiting, 


144 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

and after a hasty conversation with the driver 
Larcum secured what John termed a three-seated 
buckboard, and they were the first party to start 
on the drive around the island. 

Aren’t there any men in the fort here now?” 
demanded Scott of the driver as they passed along 
the road underneath the low walls of the old fort. 

^^No’p. Government abandoned post here in 
1895,” replied the driver. 

^^Why was that done?” 

^^Give it up. Don’t know. Seems queer that 
such a place’s this shouldn’t be kep’ up. Control 
o’ three lakes right here, too.” 

see, driver,” said Lee, ^Hhat this island is 
claimed to be not only one of the most beautiful 
in the whole world but one of the most healthful, 
too. Is that so?” 

^^You bet ’tis.” 

^^No malaria here?” 

^^Not a mite.” 

^^No seasickness?” 

'^On the island? Never heard o’ none,” re- 
sponded the driver, in surprise. 

^‘Any headaches?” persisted Lee, looking at 
Scott as he spoke. 

^^No. Beats all how healthy this island is,” 


A GAME OF BAGGATIWAY 


145 


remarked the driver, who was but little older 
than any of his party and had been quick to see 
that Lee^s questions had been asked for the pur- 
pose of bantering. ^^Idl show you a buryin^- 
ground pretty soon, but they couldn^t get any- 
body to put in it for a good many years. 

^^What did they have it for, then?^^ demanded 
John. 

^^What would ye think o’ havin’ a place like 
this without a cemetery?” retorted the driver. 
^^’Twouldn’t be decent not to have none. So years 
ago they made this one I’m tellin’ ye ’bout, but 
they couldn’t get anybody to go in it, as I said.” 

There are some headstones there, suh,” sug- 
gested Lee, pointing to some marble slabs as he 
spoke. 

^^Oh, yes,” replied the driver. didn’t say 
there wasn’t anybody buried there. There is. 
But it’s so dreadfully healthy here they had to 
shoot a few people first off, just to make the 
buryin’-ground look respectable. But even that 
didn’t seem to work as they thought it ought to. 
The people wouldn’t stay there even after they 
were put there, so they had to build this fence 
around it. That has kep’ ’em in.” The face of 
the driver was absolutely expressionless, and the 


146 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


blank look on Lee^s face, that soon gave place to 
one of delight, seemed at first to amaze him. 

^^ Yes,’^ resumed the driver, thoughtfully, ^^it^s 
dreadful hard t^ die here, it^s so healthy, an^ it’s 
harder yet to stay dead.” 

Don’t laugh at him, fellows,” whispered John, 
as Larcum showed signs of delight. He’ll spoil 
the whole ride for us if we give him a chance.” 

^^How many people are here in summer?” in- 
quired Scott. 

^^Oh, twenty thousan’ or so.” 

'Hs it so ? How many are here all the year ? ” 

^^’Bout six hundred or so.” 

^^What do they do when the winter is hard and 
they can’t get supplies ? The ice and snow must 
be something fearful here.” 

^^Oh, they live on scenery and snowballs. Ever 
eat a fried one?” 

Fried whatf’^ demanded Larcum. 

Fried snowballs,” replied the driver, solemnly. 

^^What did I tell you, fellows?” whispered 
John, shaking his head dejectedly. 

But not even John’s mood was able to dampen 
the ardor of the boys, for the bracing air of the 
beautiful morning and the steady climb of the 
houses as the road wound toward the higher 


A GAME OF BAGGATIWAY 


147 


ground of the island were too interesting of them- 
selves to permit any lighter matters to detract. 
Glimpses of the lake were occasionally had, and 
when at last the driver stopped before a marvellous 
arched natural bridge, and bade the boys alight 
and inspect it, their interest was so keen that 
they instantly responded. And the marvellous 
work of nature was worthy of their interest. 
The bridge was as perfect in its way as was the 
arch. Far below them were the waters of Lake 
Huron, and here, on the very border of the shore, 
was one of the most unique sights they had ever 
seen. 

Other carriages were now approaching, and the 
boys soon turned back to their own, but their 
chagrin was great when they found themselves 
face to face with their ^ Triend. 

^^Good morning!” he exclaimed cordially. 
^^Just coming or going? Oh, yes. Going, I 
see,” he added as the boys hastened to their 
seats. ^^Have you an extra place?” he demanded 
of the boys, as he followed them to the wagon. 
^^Yes, I see you have, and if you donT mind I 
think Idl take it. Idl sit here with the driver. 
My seat in the other wagon was very uncom- 
fortable.” 


148 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Let’s leave him in the cemetery, Larc,” sug- 
gested Lee, in a whisper. 

^^He isn’t that kind,” replied Larcum, with a 
wry face. ^^I’m afraid it would take more than 
one fence to keep him in, too.” 

The ride itself was so extremely interesting 
that not even the presence of the self-invited 
guest could detract from it. Roads winding 
through the forest, high ground from which 
glimpses of the lake could be had, strange geo- 
logical formations, — a perpetual change and one 
of continuous interest and variety was before 
them. At the Great Stairway the boys once more 
alighted and made their way to the very top of 
the structure, beneath which the island and all 
the surrounding waters spread out as a part of 
one magical scene. 

Beats anything I ever saw,” exclaimed Lar- 
cum, as he and his friends returned to their car- 
riage. ^^Now, driver, we’ve seen pretty much 
everything. We’d better be working back toward 
the Juniata, We don’t want to get left.” 

“Don’t ye?” laughed the driver. “Well, if 
you’re left. I’ll give you my team. We’ve just 
begun to see, and you needn’t be afraid of the 
time. I’ll risk thatJ^ 


A GAME OF BAGGATIWAY 


149 


“Yes, you can afford to risk it better than we 
can/^ 

“Boys, IVe been here before, and there’s one 
spot you must see,” spoke up their “guest” on 
the front seat. “And that is Lover’s Leap.” 

“What made him leap?” inquired Scott, 
solemnly. 

“It was a maiden. She — ” 

“How much did she cover ?” interrupted Scott. 

“The leap was one hundred and forty-five 
feet.” 

“Oh, come now, that’s more than five times 
the record. I can do twenty feet myself, but 
when you tell me that she jumped a hundred and 
forty-five — 

“Not horizontally. Perpendicularly,” explained 
the man. 

“Oh, yes. I see. That explains it. Did she 
jump up or down?” The driver shouted with 
delight, but the expression of Scott’s face 
remained unchanged. “What made her jump?” 
he inquired simply. 

“Her lover. He had been killed, or played 
her false, or — ” 

“Is that all?” interrupted Scott. “Oh, excuse 
me,” he hastily added. “Was she jumping 


150 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

for him? That explains it. I see now. I see 
perfectly.” 

^^Then there^s Robinson^s Folly and Pontiac’s 
Lookout,” continued the man. You must be sure 
to see them. A man named Robinson built a 
house on the ledge right out over the lake, and 
one day in a storm the ledge and house fell.” 

^^Did it Tair?” interrupted Scott. ^^There’s 
nothing so very strange about that. It seems to 
me it would have been queer if it hadn’t fallen. 
Now if it had ^gone up,’ as we say in the East, 
that might have been worth talking about.” 

^^You can see right down into the old fort 
now,” suggested the driver. ^^Do you see that 
gate there to the right?” As the boys declared 
they were all able to discern the spot indicated, 
the driver said, ^^One time in June, in 1763, they 
had a game of baggatiway — ” 

What’s that?” demanded John. 

^^Oh, it was either a game of ball or lacrosse, 
I don’t just know which. There were thirty-five 
English soldiers in the fort ; for it was the time 
when the English had control here, and the 
Indians were hungry to get into the fort, 
and as they hadn’t succeeded they arranged for 
a game of baggatiway. The Chippewas were to 


A GAME OF BAGGATIWAY 


151 


play the Sacs just outside the stockade. The 
redskins were shrewd and fixed the game on the 
birthday of the King, so of course the soldiers 
agreed, and they werenT quite so sharp on their 
lookout as they had been. The gate was left a 
bit open, and the soldiers went out to see the 
game. The squaws were there, too, so the story 
runs, and every one of ^em had a tomahawk under 
her blanket. Well, the game began, and pretty 
soon every one was wild with excitement or 
Speared to be. By and by, when the signal that 
had been agreed upon was given, some one of 
the redskins drove the ball inside the stockade, 
and then the whole crowd of Indians, yelling and 
laughing, started after it. The Indians rushed in 
through the gate that had been left part way 
open, and just as soon as they were inside, the 
^game^ changed. They raised the war-whoop, 
grabbed the tomahawks which the squaws had 
been hiding for them, and then there was a terrible 
massacre.^^ 

^^How do you know there was?^^ demanded 
Scott. 

^^Why, there was an English trader named 
Henry in the fort at the time, and the Indians 
didnT kill him. They kept him a prisoner, 


152 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


promising him all the time that they would save 
him and roast him at the feast they were planning 
to have. They took all his goods and even 
stripped his clothes from his body, but as the 
redskins within a day or two happened to cap- 
ture two English trading boats that were near, 
they kept putting off their feast. At last an 
Indian named Wawatam, a Chippewa, who had 
been a friend of Henryks, claimed the man as his 
prisoner, and the redmen gave him to the warrior. 
But as the Indians had found some fire-water on 
the boats, Wawatam took Henry away, telling 
him he could not answer for his life at such a 
time, and so he took him and hid him in that 
cave back here which we passed. I told you it 
was called Skull Cave, and the reason for it was 
that when Henry was astir the next morning he 
found he’d been sleeping or rather lying all 
night — ” 

^^So he kept on lying even unto this day?” 
interrupted Scott. 

^‘So that was the reason why it was called 
Skull Cave,” laughed the driver. 

You are mistaken, driver,” said the man beside 
him. ^Ht was an Indian maiden that rescued 
the trader and concealed him in that cave,” 


A GAME OF BAGGATIWAY 


153 


The driver stared at the man for a moment, and 
then ignoring the interruption, said: — 

^^Wawatam managed to protect the man, 
Henry, when the redskins got over their spree, 
and took him from place to place and tribe to 
tribe until at last up here at the Saulte the trader 
found some friends and so got away/^ 

say,^^ said John, suddenly, ^'wasnT it here 
at Mackinac that John Jacob Astor had his head- 
quarters for his fur trade? I just thought of it/^ 
^^Yes. The old house and some of the furni- 
ture, dishes, scales, and things are there now” 
^^Wedl look it up,’^ said Larcum, quickly. 
'^What’s that?^’ he suddenly demanded, as a 
loud and prolonged whistle could be heard. 


CHAPTER XIII 

THE DEPARTURE FROM MACKINAC 

^^That’s the Juniata^s whistle/^ said the driver, 
calmly. ^^YouVe time enough. Didn’t I promise 
you my team if you were left?” 

^^That’s all right,” retorted the self-invited 
guest by the driver’s side. ^^But I just can’t 
afford to take any chances. I simply mustn’t be 
left here. I think you would do better to go 
straight back to the dock now.” 

Shall I go?” inquired the driver of Larcum. 

^^Go ahead with the drive. All we want is to 
be back on the Juniata before she leaves the 
dock,” replied Larcum, calmly. 

^^Then I shall have to leave you here,” said the 
guest,” tartly. can find my way across the 
country. I’ve been here before. I’ll see you at 
the dock if you get there on time.” As he spoke, 
the man leaped lightly to the ground and speedily 

164 


THE DEPARTURE FROM MACKINAC 155 

disappeared from sight as he followed one of the 
numerous httle pathways that led into the woods. 

“That man’ll get left as sure’s your bom,” said 
the driver, cheerfully, as he spoke to his horses. 
“What’s his name, anyway?” 

“I don’t know,” replied Larcum. “^Legion,’ I 
guess.” 

“His name is Smith,” said John, quietly. “I 
looked him up.” 

“Here’s something you don’t want to miss,” 
suggested the driver. “Here’s the spot where 
the British planted their cannon when they took 
the fort here in the War of 1812. You see Lieu- 
tenant Hanks, who was in command here, didn’t 
even know that war had been declared. Our 
Secretary of War didn’t amount to much, and he 
sent word up here by the regular way that war 
had begun ; but the British, they didn’t wait for 
any such slow work as that, for they sent mnners 
and messengers up here with the word. Captain 
Roberts over here at Saint Jo was in command 
of the British hereabout, and his word was to take 
this island — and he did. He got together the 
regulars of his garrison, some of the Fur Company’s 
voyagers, and a good many Indians, and set sail 
from Saint Jo, when no one was looking. Our 


156 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


garrison was only a little handful, but even at 
that Captain Roberts didn’t want to come at it 
in front, so he landed his men — he had several 
hundred of them all together — about three o’clock 
in the morning and planted his guns up here on 
the height back of the fort, and when it was day- 
light he ordered the Americans to surrender. 
There wasn’t anything else to be done, so they 
surrendered — every one of ’em.” 

^'How long did the British hold the island?” 
inquired John. 

^‘Till the end of the war. Our men tried to get 
it back again a number of times, but they couldn’t 
make it work.” 

^^It’s a wonderful spot,” murmured John. 
^^It’s worth a trip all the way from Boston just 
to see it in a morning like this. The sublimity of 
the universe seems to be hyphenated with a pecul- 
iar personal predisposition to respond to the 
appeal of the charm.” 

'^Yes, I’ve often thought o’ that,” said the 
driver, solemnly. ^^Only we don’t call it by that 
name up here. We — Hello ! ” he suddenly broke 
in, “I guess it’s ’bout time we began to move 
back toward the dock. I don’t want to give up 
my horses yet.” 


THE DEPARTURE FROM MACKINAC 157 


At a word from the driver the team at once began 
to move swiftly down the smooth road, and in a 
brief time arrived at the place where the start had 
been made. Larcum hastily paid the driver, and 
then all four boys hastened to the Juniata, toward 
which a crowd was already steadily moving. 

Only a few minutes elapsed before the huge 
steamer swung free from the dock and backed into 
the lake, preparatory to reversing her course and 
heading for Saint Mary ^s River. She was a hundred 
feet or more out from the shore when suddenly a 
man was seen making his way swiftly among the 
people on the dock and in a brief time arrived at 
the outermost point. 

^^Look there ! Look there, fellows exclaimed 
Scott, sharply, as he pointed at the man, who now 
was shouting and wildly waving his arms. ^^Do 
you recognize that unfortunate but delayed 
traveller 

^Mt^s Mr. Smith !” exclaimed Lee. 

^^That^s who it is!^^ said Larcum, excitedly. 
^^Do you suppose they’ll stop the boat?” 

^^Not here,” said John, calmly. 

The huge steamer was slowly swinging about, 
and her bow was almost pointed in the direction 
in which she was to go. The passengers, many 


158 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


of whom were on the upper deck, were watching 
the man, who was still dancing about on the dock 
and frantically calling to the steamer to come 
back. 

^'This fable teaches that one ought never to 
be late. I^m glad IVe always made it a rule to 
be on time — when I have to,^^ drawled Lee. 

^^Look there ! Some one is going to bring the 
late Mr. Smith out in a skiff, suggested Scott. 

No one spoke, as all eagerly watched the boy 
who had quickly brought his skiff to the end of 
the dock where Mr. Smith was waiting. Appar- 
ently the man hesitated, for he glanced several 
times at the little skiff and then at the huge steamer 
a hundred feet away. Whatever the cause of 
his hesitation may have been, it did not prevent 
several men who had rushed to the spot from 
almost forcibly thrusting the man into the skiff, 
and the boy at once began to row vigorously 
toward the Juniata. 

^^Let^s go down and help him on,^’ suggested 
Larcum, soberly, although his eyes twinkled 
as he spoke. 

Instantly following out the suggestion, the boys 
ran to the place where the skiff had come along- 
side the steamer and a rope ladder had been 


THE DEPARTURE FROM MACKINAC 159 


made ready for the use of the unfortunate man. 
The mighty Larcum, leaning far out, seized the 
struggling Mr. Smith by the collar of his coat 
and with one strong pull brought him safely on 
board. The Juniata was already preparing to 
go ahead, and the lad who had brought the man 
to the steamer was anxiously waiting, fearing 
to remain where he was and yet not wishing to 
leave until he had received his pay. 

^^Here, the boy^s waiting for his money,^^ 
exclaimed Larcum. 

^^Ah, yes,^^ muttered Mr. Smith, breathlessly. 
'^Ah, yes, I have a nickel. Would that do?^^ he 
inquired dubiously of Larcum. Evidently he con- 
cluded from the expression on the young man’s 
face that it would not ^^do,” and after fumbling 
in his pockets without any apparent success he 
said, Would you mind handing him half a dollar ? 
I find I have no change in my pockets.” 

Larcum tossed the lad a half dollar, which was 
deftly caught, and then the skiff was vigorously 
rowed away and at that very moment the Juniata 
started ahead at full speed. 

The boys did not wait to see what the man 
whom Larcum had rescued would now do, but 
at once returned to their places on the upper 


160 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


deck, interested in the sight which could be seen 
all about them. The water clear and beautiful, 
the cloudless sky, the interest of their fellow- 
passengers, the beauty of the islands, the scenes 
of animation on the strange vessels they met, 
all combined to increase the enjoyment of the 
four young travellers, which was already keen. 

It was not long before the Juniata passed into 
the narrower waters of Saint Mary^s River, and 
then the interest became even stronger when the 
channel became so narrow that the water on either 
side of the steamer was made muddy by the 
passing of the boat. 

^Tome on, fellows called Larcum. ^^Let’s 
go down below where we can get a better view 
of this. Come on 

His friends at once followed him, and soon all 
four boys were on the lowest deck, talking with 
the steward, who stood there watching the muddy 
waters over which the Juniata was moving. 

^'Easy to get aground here, I fancy, suggested 
John to the man. 

^^Easy enough if one wants to, but we donT 
want to,^^ laughed the steward. 

suppose the pilot knows every dangerous 
spot along here,^^ remarked Scott. 


THE DEPARTURE FROM MACKINAC 161 

^^No, he doesn^t/^ 

doesn^t! I should think you^d be afraid 
to trust a man who doesn’t know where he’s 
likely to strike a rock or a bar.” 

That’s where you’re mistaken. That’s just 
the kind of a man to trust.” 
don’t see.” 

^^Why, it’s the man who knows where the rocks 
and bars are not that we want to steer us up the 
Saint Mary’s.” 

^^Oh, I see,” said Scott, joining in the laugh of 
his friends. That’s a good point, and I think 
I’ll try to remember it. Do you ever get stuck 
here?” he demanded of the steward. 

^^Not exactly stuck. Sometimes we get be- 
hind a lumber tow, and that keeps us back a few 
hours.” 

^^What time are we due at the Saulte?” in- 
quired John. 

^^About dusk.” 

Anything to see there?” 

^ ^ ^ See ’ there ? That depends on whether you’ve 
got any eyes or not. See? Why, if you want 
to, you can see the largest lock in the world.” 

^^How many locks are there?” inquired Scott. 

Three — two on the American side and one 


162 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

on the Canadian. The Poe lock is the largest in 
the world. It^s eight hundred feet long, one 
hundred feet wide, and cost four million dollars. 
Wedl go into that, so you canT fail to see it.’^ 
Where do they keep the key?’^ inquired 
Scott, soberly. 

^^Key ? AVhat key ? Key to what ?’’ demanded 
the steward, quickly. 

^^Why, the key to this big lock you he telling 
about.’^ 

^^It isn’t that kind of a lock,” explained the 
steward, quickly. ^^It’s a lock to get around 
Saint Mary’s falls or rapids. You’ll see those, too, 
and if you want to, you can get some of the 
Indians to bring you through the rapids in their 
canoes.” 

'^What! Now?” demanded Larcum, eagerly. 

^^Yes. You’ll have two hours after we get 
there. Plenty of time.” 

^^Are there many Indians there?” 

^^Oh, there’s enough to go around. But the 
lock is the great sight, as I was telling you. Some 
people don’t seem to realize what a business goes 
on here in these locks. They always go abroad 
for. their sights. And yet let me tell you that 
though the locks at Saulte Ste. Marie are open only 


THE DEPARTURE FROM MACKINAC 163 

eight months in the year, and the Suez Canal 
is open all the year round, the tonnage here at 
the Saulte is more than twice that of the Suez 
Canal ! Just think of that, will you, and I don^t 
believe half the Americans know it!^’ 

^^So much business must make the people 
quite civilized, suggested John, demurely. 

^^Humph!^^ retorted the steward. ^^Saulte Ste. 
Marie was founded in 1641. There was a French 
mission station there, and it was one of the most 
important depots of the Hudson Bay Company, 
too. Some of the old buildings are still standing, 
and so too are parts of old Fort Brady.^’ 

hadnT any idea there was so much around 
here,” said Scott. 

guess ye never travelled very much,” 
suggested the steward, laughing as the three 
boys also laughed at their comrade. ^^Tell you 
what,” continued the steward, guess you boys 
would have some fun if you could stop over 
long enough to go over to Desbarats and see the 
Ojibways give ^Hiawatha.’” 

^Hs this where the play is given by the Indians ?” 
asked John, quickly. 

“No. Not here. Over in Ontario, at Des- 
barats. People say it^s fine, too, and well worth 


164 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


seeing. But I see so much of the Indians most 
every day I can^t say that I have any great desire 
to see a performance by them.^^ 

^^I^d hke to see it” said Lee. '^But we won^t 
have time, will we?^^ 

^^No. You wouldn^t have time, and then, too, 
they aren’t quite ready to give the play yet. 
It’s a little too early in the season.” 

Will there be any real Indians at the Saulte?” 

^^You certainly will see some if you go up into 
the city.” 

^^And we can shoot the rapids, too?” 

^^Yes, you’ll have plenty of time.” 

^^And go up in the lock, too?” 

^^Yes,” laughed the steward. ^^And be lifted 
in the lock, too.” 

The boys at once departed and went to their 
rooms. When Lee entered his, he was amazed 
to find the friendly Mr. Smith within and the 
door unlocked. The surprise of Mr. Smith ap- 
parently was as great as his own, for after stam- 
mering and trying to explain how he chanced 
to be there, the man abruptly departed, and Lee, 
somewhat anxious, turned to the bag in which he 
had left his valuables. 


CHAPTER XIV 

NEAR MARQUETTE MONUMENT 

It certainly was strange that he should have 
discovered the smiling Mr. Smith in his room, 
Lee thought, but a hasty search among his valu- 
ables failed to reveal any loss, and the excitement 
arising from the approach to the city was so 
keen that soon all other thoughts were for the time 
at least banished from his mind. Speedily he 
joined his friends, who were already waiting for 
him in their accustomed place, and then with keen 
interest they gazed at the sights along the near-by 
shore. There were islands on which summer homes 
had been built, little boats with gay parties on 
board, great manufacturing establishments to be 
seen on either shore, but the chief interest of the 
boys was in the approach to the city itself. As 
they came nearer, they could easily see the swift 
waters of the rapids, and Lee suddenly exclaimed, 

165 


166 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


pointing at a canoe that could be seen in the midst 
of the tossing waters as he spoke: ^^Look there, 
fellows ! Just see that ! That^s worth trying 

^^That^s what it is!^^ replied Larcum. We’ll 
take a run up town first, and then we’ll come back 
and have a ride with the Indians in one of those 
canoes.” 

Excuse w^,” murmured John. 

What’s the trouble. Jack?” demanded Lar- 
cum, with a laugh. 

^^I’ll go with you up town, and I’ll have a look 
at the locks, but I don’t believe I care for any of 
the rapids.” 

^Tome on, then! Here we are at the dock!” 
exclaimed Larcum, as the huge steamer came 
alongside the landing-place. 

In a brief time the boys were all ashore, and 
making their way up the wide street, with its 
one-story or story-and-a-half buildings on either 
side, looked about them with interest. Evi- 
dently it had been a day when a celebration of 
some kind had been held, for the streets were 
filled with people, and among them were many 
who unmistakably were Indians. The boys gazed 
at the redmen with such interest that a policeman, 
noticing their attention, told them of some wig- 


NEAR MARQUETTE’S MONUMENT 167 


warns which had been made near the city in 
which the redmen were staying during their 
visit at the Saulte, for many had come up from 
their reservations for the celebration. Eagerly 
the boys ran to the place that had been indicated, 
and following the example of some of the people 
who were already there, they approached the 
wigwam and gazed within at the stolid people 
that were seated or lying on the ground. 

Children, adults, and old people were there 
together, the air was foul, and the hut itself any- 
thing but clean, and a brief glimpse at the inte- 
rior seemed amply to satisfy the curiosity of the 
young travellers. 

^^Whew!^’ exclaimed John, as the boys turned 
back to the city. wonder if we have really 
seen the noble redman in his primeval and pris- 
tine simplicity.’^ 

^^As far back as I care to go,” remarked Scott, 
haven’t seen one Indian, man or woman, young 
or old, that you could really call handsome.” 

saw one up here on the street,” said Lar- 
cum. girl, and she was a beauty. The kind 
you read about.” 

^^Read about, but don’t see. They can sleep, 
though, can’t they?” 


168 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^Seem to. Makes me think of what my uncle 
said to me one time when I was a small boy and 
went to visit him on the farm where he lived. 
He was a fine man, my Uncle Will was, and he 
was deacon in the church there, too. Well, I 
went one Sunday afternoon with him, and the 
first thing I knew I was sound asleep. When 
we were going home after church. Uncle Will 
said to me: ^ Scott, you ought not to go to sleep 
in church. You must not forget that the devil 
stays awake all the time.^ ^ Uncle Will/ I said, 
just as innocent as you please, ^ don’t you ever 
go to sleep in church?’ ^No, never,’ he said. 
^ Well, if you stay awake all the time, then, I’d like 
to know which is more like the devil, you or I.’” 

^^Oh, wasn’t he cute!” murmured Lee, ad- 
miringly. 

^'He certainly was,” assented John. ^^He was 
a remarkable youth.” 

^^Yes, and he hasn’t gotten all over it yet,” 
joined in Larcum. 

''Never you mind, fellows,” laughed Scott, 
good-naturedly. "You can’t 'grind’ me to-day. 
I’m in too much haste to get up there and 
try those canoes before the Juniata resumes her 
proud voyage to the West.” 


NEAR MARQUETTE^S MONUMENT 169 
say we all/^ said John. 

'^What! are you going to try it, too, Jack?^' 
demanded Larcum. 

^^Yes, I think I wilV^ replied John. ^^IVe 
been thinking it over, and I^m going to take my 
chances with the rest of you.’^ 

^Tome along, then!^^ exclaimed Larcum. 
^^Wedl go up the locks and catch the canoes up 
above, and in that way we’ll see the whole thing.” 

^^Why, Larc, what size hat do you wear?” 
said Scott, in mock seriousness. 

Never you mind my hat. Just see if you can 
keep up with us. We’re going to start now.” 

As he spoke, Larcum began to run swiftly along 
the bank, and the boys were so busied in trying to 
keep up with him that all attempts at conversation 
were abandoned. Arriving at the head of the 
rapids, Larcum signalled to some of the Indians 
and was fortunate enough to secure two canoes, 
in which he and his friends at once embarked, 
Scott going with him, and Lee and John taking 
their places in the second canoe. 

In a brief time the word was given, and the canoes 
were caught in the full strength of the swift cur- 
rent and borne swiftly down the stream. One 
Indian was kneeling in the bow and another in 


170 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


the stern of each canoe, deftly wielding their 
paddles and keeping the frail little crafts headed 
down the stream. The moment was thrilling 
to the boys. The canoes rested low on the water, 
and the tossing waves were on every side. To 
add to their excitement the Indians suddenly 
began to send forth their yells, and for an instant 
even the iron nerves of Larcum seemed to be 
moved. But the canoes darted forward almost 
with the speed of the wind, and in the midst of 
the roar of the tossing waters and the weird 
shouts and calls of the Indian paddlers there 
was no opportunity for conversation. The boys 
looked at one another, but were speechless, and 
almost before they were aware of it the swift 
voyage was ended and the canoes had been guided 
into the still waters near the Juniata. 

wouldnT have missed that for a good deal 
exclaimed Lee, enthusiastically, when the boys 
were once more on board the steamer. ^^That^s 
the first time in my life I ever shot the rapids.’^ 

^^Wehe off!^^ said Larcum, eagerly, as the 
Juniata swung free from the dock and began to 
move into the lock. 

The interest of the boys was now so keen that 
they had little to say to one another as they 





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NEAR MARQUETTE^S MONUMENT 171 


watched what was being done. The huge steamer 
slowly rose in the water that was let in until 
it was on a level with the canal, and then began 
to move more swiftly on its way to the waters 
of the lake. The dusk had deepened by this 
time, and soon after the boys sought their rooms, 
ready for the rest of the night. 

Early on the following morning when Lee awoke, 
he discovered that the Juniata was already at 
the dock in Marquette. Without disturbing his 
companion he hastily dressed and made his way 
up the typical little street into the Western city, 
which was hardly yet astir, so early was the hour. 
He was determined to see whatever sights were 
to be found, and inquiring of a policeman, was 
directed to the spot where the imposing statue 
of Pere Marquette was located. For a long time 
he stood beside it and gazed up into the strong, 
peaceful face of stone. Thoughts of the early 
French missionaries, their devotion and toil, 
the long voyages they had made, the persecutions 
they suffered from the Indians, the sufferings 
they endured, all came back to him from the tales 
he had read and now recalled, and as he thought 
that now he was standing on the very spot where 
the foremost missionary of them all had been so 


172 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


many years ago, he once more looked up into the 
strong face of the image of Pere Marquette and 
then turned sharply away to return to the steamer. 

As he did so, he was surprised to perceive the 
friendly Mr. Smith on the opposite side of the 
statue, talking earnestly in low tones to a man 
whom Lee recognized as one of his fellow-pas- 
sengers on the Juniata. Surprised as he was, 
for he had not been aware of the man’s approach, 
he was about to speak to him, but quickly changed 
his purpose when he saw Mr. Smith hand his 
companion a strip of paper that seemed to be 
very like the ticket required by the Juniata. 
The man handed Mr. Smith some money as he 
took the ticket and thrust it into his pocket, and 
at that moment both looked up and were aware 
of his presence. 

^^Good morning, suh!” called Lee, pleasantly. 

The reply which Mr. Smith made was broken, 
and the man’s confusion or consternation was so 
apparent that Lee said no more and at once 
turned back and started toward the dock. Some- 
how there was a suspicion in the young traveller’s 
mind that something was wrong, but he was 
unable to define it, and in the exhilaration of the 
early morning air and sunshine he walked rapidly 


NEAR MARQUETTE’S MONUMENT 173 


down the street, and after he had purchased some 
photographs and asked a few questions of 
the clerk in the store where he had stopped, he 
went back to the steamer. 

Where have you been, Lee?’^ called John, 
from the upper deck, as his friend approached. 

^^Been out to see the town. Some men prefer 
to lie in bed when they are travelling, but not for 
me. I want to see the sights. 

^WVhy didn^t you call us?^^ demanded Scott. 

^^How did I know you wanted to be called 
retorted Lee. 

^^You might have known. Hello ! there^s 
our genial friend, Mr. Smith, said Larcum. 
^^He hasn^t bothered us for a good while, fellows. 
Have you noticed it?^^ 

Yes,^^ replied Lee, thoughtfully, recalling as he 
spoke the scene he had watched near Marquette^s 
monument, and troubled somehow by the thought. 
But the steamer was already proceeding on her 
way by this time, and as at that moment the 
call for breakfast came, his misgivings were 
speedily forgotten in the eagerness with which 
he descended with his friends to the dining room. 

For some reason which Lee could not under- 
stand Mr. Smith resumed his loquacious ways, 


174 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


and all through the meal he was talking to the 
boys, unmindful of the fact that they seldom 
replied to his questions. 

was up there by Marquette\s monument 
this morning/’ Mr. Smith was saying, ^^and it 
reminded me of the ways of the Frenchmen.” 

'Tretty good way, suh,” suggested Lee. ^^Not 
many like Marquette to-day. I saw you there 
by the monument.” 

^^Did you? Were you there? I didn’t see 
you,” said Mr. Smith, blandly. 

For a moment Lee stared at the man and did 
not speak. He was positive that Mr. Smith had 
seen him, and the sight had not been welcome 
either. And now the man denied having seen 
him at all. It was strange, and Lee was seriously 
perplexed. 

Mr. Smith, however, did not appear to be 
aware of his confusion, for he was speaking glibly. 

was thinking particularly of how hard it is 
for the Frenchmen to learn our language. I have 
a friend who came over from Paris not long ago, 
and he prided himself on his ability to speak 
English. But he had great trouble with some 
of our verbs and idioms. He was on the cars 
one time, and whenever he looked out and saw the 


NEAR MARQUETTE’S MONUMENT 175 

sign ^Look out for the cars he thought it meant 
to look out and see the cars, and so he was for put- 
ting his head out of the window so that he might 
see. He didn’t know dook out’ meant sometimes 
to put your head out and sometimes it meant to 
pull your head in.” 

The man laughed, though the boys were silent, 
and then unabashed continued: ^^He had his 
greatest trouble, though, with our verb ^ break.’ 
He came to me one day and said solemnly, 
^Madame Beauvois intends to break down her 
school early this year.’ 

Break up, you mean,’ I explained. ^Why 
does she do that?’ 

^^^Oh, her health is broken into.’ 

^Broken down, you mean,’ I explained. 

^^^Yes, certainly. She has been ill ever since 
the fever broke up in town — ’ 

^^^Broke out,’ I suggested. 

^^^Yes, thank you.’ 

^^^Will she leave her home unoccupied?’ I 
inquired. 

^^^No. She will have a caretaker. She is 
afraid it will be broken — broken — ’ 

^^Hnto?’ 

^^^Yes, that is it. Her son will look after it, 


176 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


for since his engagement has been broken — 
broken — ^ 

I explained. am sorry. I had not 
heard of that.^ 

^^^Well, he only broke — broke — the news 
to her last week. Is it so?^ 

^^^Yes, that is correct.^ 

“^Her son is a breaker, I think.’ 

^^^No, he is a broker.’” 

But the boys waited to hear no more, for all 
four departed from the table, three going to the 
upper deck, but Lee passed swiftly to his room. 


A 


CHAPTER XV 


A LOSS 

Some motive which even Lee himself did not 
understand led him at once to inspect the locked 
drawer in which he had left his ticket. He in- 
serted the key, and a quick pull disclosed all the 
contents to him, but the little book in which his 
ticket had been kept was gone. A renewed 
search only served to confirm the fact of his 
loss, and then with an anxiety that was intense, 
Lee began to search all the places in the room 
where by any possibility the ticket might have 
been left, but his search proved unavailing, and 
the ticket was nowhere to be found. 

Convinced that a further search would be now 
useless, Lee, his heart heavy and his feeling of 
anxiety too keen to be entirely concealed, at last 
locked the door of his room and slowly made his 
way to the place where his friends were sitting. 


178 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


As he drew near, an expression of pretended de- 
spair appeared on Larcum^s face, for the genial 
Mr. Smith was present and entertaining the 
company with some of his stories. 

was just saying, he explained as Lee 
quietly took the chair which Scott pushed toward 
him, “thsit IVe been up here on Lake Superior 
a great many times, but one of the most interest- 
ing spots is a group of islands they call the Apos- 
tles, or the Apostle group. 

^^The most interesting island, at least to me, 
in the entire group is Gull Island. It is called 
by that name because in the early summer it is 
almost literally a mass of gulls, or rather of gulls’ 
eggs. You know gulls don’t bother to make much 
of a nest; they just kick up a little clump of 
mud into a mound, then they make a little hollow 
in the top and fill it in with grass or feathers, 
and sometimes they don’t even do that much 
work in making a nest. And there the eggs 
are — ” 

^^How many eggs in a nest?” inquired John. 

Usually three. During the day the gulls 
don’t pay much attention to the eggs — they 
just leave them to be kept warm by the sunlight. 
At night, though, or when it is cooler, the birds 


A LOSS 


179 


seem to be willing to do a little work, and you can 
see them on the nests — 

^^What! in the night demanded Scott. 

^‘Yes, or on a cool day. These nests are close 
to one another, and there are thousands of them 
on the island. 

^‘1 should think people would take the eggs,’^ 
suggested Larcum. 

^^Oh, they donT bother very much. There 
arenT very many people around there, an 3 rway. 
TheyTe mostly tourists, and they seem to be 
satisfied with taking an egg or two away as a 
souvenir. I have walked the length of the island 
and stirred up such a sight of gulls from the nests 
that the noise of their wings sounded like pande- 
monium let loose. 

^^DonT they ever attack one that disturbs 
them that way?’^ inquired John. 

^^Not when there are only eggs in the nests. 
They make a fearful racket and fly all about one 
in a perfect cloud, but they donT offer to hurt 
any one. When there are young birds in the nests, 
then it^s a different matter, and theyfll fly right 
into the face of anybody that disturbs them, 
and if they try hard, they can put up a good strong 
fight.^^ 


180 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^They certainly look as if they might/^ sug- 
gested Scott, as he glanced toward the stern of 
the steamer, where a great flock of circling gulls, 
with their plaintive and weird cries, were follow- 
ing in the wake of the Juniata — a rule which 
the boys had discovered was seldom broken when 
preparations for the meals were being made. 
All the waste from the kitchen and dining room 
that was cast into the water was eagerly seized 
by the keen-eyed birds and frequently led 
to a struggle for the possession of some choice 
tidbit. 

^^By the way, Larcum, you didn^t tell us what 
Marquette was celebrated above all the rest of 
the world for,” suggested Scott. 

^Tor its healthfulness. There^s no hay fever 
there, and as for seasickness — the first case has 
not appeared as yet.” 

Ignoring the shout in which all the boys but 
Lee joined, Scott said: ^^I^m not joking, Larc. 
You can call my headache what you please, but 
I^d really like to know what Marquette is cele- 
brated for, even if I didn^t get a chance to go 
ashore. Do you know?” 

^^Ask Lee here,” suggested Larcum. ^^He^s 
the only one that landed, and he^s been so 


A LOSS 


181 


grumpy ever since he came back that he must 
have seen or heard something that was important, 
anyway/^ 

^^Both,^^ said Lee, quietly. 

^^Tell us. Please tell us,^^ pleaded Scott. 
^^What greatest thing in the world did you find 
in Marquette 

Largest charcoal pig-iron furnace in theworld,^^ 
replied Lee. 

Great! Anything else?^^ said Scott. 

^^Yes. Michigan State prison about a mile 
and a half out on the lake shore. 

^^You didn’t go out there, did you?” inquired 
John. 

^^No, but I wish I had.” 

^ Conscience troubling you?” 

^^Not exactly. But while you-all were having 
your morning nap I lost my ticket.” 

^^What!” exclaimed Larcum, instantly sitting 
erect. ^^Lost your ticket! Where?” 

^^Well, it might be that if I knew just where it 
was, I should not consider it lost. I don’t know 
just where it is now, but I do know who has it — 
at least who took it.” 

The boys were instantly excited, and even the 
loquacious Mr. Smith seemed to be deeply inter- 


182 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


ested. They all drew more closely about the 
troubled Lee and eagerly listened as he said: 
^^IVe been thinking it all over, and IVe decided 
to report to the captain, tell him what I know 
and what IVe seen, and ask him to have the man 
that I suspect arrested if he tries to go ashore at 
Houghton. That^s the last stop we make before 
we arrive at Duluth, and if he waits till we come 
there, why, Idl wait too. But if he tries to get 
ashore here at Houghton, I’ll have him arrested 
and searched, anyway, or if the ticket has dis- 
appeared, I’ll tell what I know.” 

^^That may keep you at Houghton till the next 
boat,” suggested Mr. Smith. 

^^Let it keep me, then!” retorted Lee, warmly. 
^H’m going to get this man, suh, if I wait over 
till next summer. I’m right earnest about it, 
suh.” 

^^Well, I hope you’ll get him,” said Mr. Smith, 
cordially, as he arose and departed from the deck. 

^^Did you mean what you said, Lee?” inquired 
Scott, eagerly. 

did. Every word of it.” 

^^And have you really any idea who has your 
ticket ? ’ 

have a strong idea who took it.” 


A LOSS 


183 


^^What are you going to do?^’ 

going to get the man and make him dis- 
gorge if the captain will help me.” 

^^Don^t worry too much about that ticket, 
Lee,'^ said Larcum, quietly. don^t believe 
youdl be put off at Houghton.^^ 

^^I^m going to see about it now,^^ said Lee, 
shortly, as he arose. 

^^Idl go with you,^^ exclaimed Larcum. ^'Wedl 
try it together.’^ 

The two boys at once made their way toward 
the pilot house, but before they entered they were 
accosted by a man whom Lee instantly recognized 
as the one to whom Mr. Smith had given the 
ticket that morning near Marquette’s monument. 

hear one of you young gentlemen has lost 
a ticket,” said the man, glancing shrewdly at Lee 
as he spoke. 

^'Yes, suh,” responded Lee, promptly. 

found one this morning before breakfast. 
I wonder if it can be yours.” 

^^Let me see it,” said Larcum, hastily; and as 
the man held forth the ticket, he took it and com- 
pared the number with the one on his own ticket. 
A brief examination showed that the number was 
next higher than his own, and as Larcum had 


184 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


purchased the four tickets at the same time, there 
could be no question that the ticket which the 
stranger had handed him was the one which Lee 
had lost. 

That’s the ticket,” said Larcum, quickly. 

^^Are you certain? How do you know?” 
asked the man, quietly. 

Larcum showed him the number on his own 
ticket and then explained how he himself had 
purchased the four tickets for the party and the 
number of the new ticket was next to his own. 

The stranger appeared to be satisfied, but as 
he turned away, Lee said, ^Tardon me, suh, but 
may I ask where you found the ticket?” 

found it before breakfast this morning.” 

^^Yes, suh; but where did you find it?” 

“Up near the monument of Marquette.” 

“That’s a good one on you, Lee!” laughed 
Larcum, as he slapped his friend on the shoulder. 
“That makes up for your getting up in the morn- 
ing so much earlier than your friends. I never 
knew a fellow yet who was an early riser who 
didn’t feel so proud of what he’d done that he 
was sure to take a tumble before noon. And 
there you took your early walk and your ticket, 
and then dropped the ticket up there by the 


A LOSS 


185 


monument and this man found it. That^s a good 
one. It's 'most up to Scott's headache!" And 
Larcum laughed heartily as he spoke. 

Too much relieved by the restoration of his 
ticket to express all he felt at the moment or even 
to refer to the sight he had himself seen at the 
foot of the monument, Lee laughed hghtly and 
then turned to the stranger and said, ^^I'm right 
glad, suh, that you happened to hear I had lost 
my ticket." 

‘^Oh, you'd have had it all right," said the man, 
lightly. should have given it to the captain, 
and of course you would have gone to him. We 
have both saved a bit of work, that's all." 
thank you, suh," said Lee. 

The stranger, however, apparently was not eager 
to be thanked, and speedily turned away, and the 
boys at once hastened back to their friends, where 
the excitement was almost as great as was Lee's 
when the surprising information was given that 
Lee's ticket had been found. Still Lee did not 
feel required to refer to what he himself knew 
concerning Mr. Smith's appearance in his room 
and the interview which he himself had witnessed 
near the monument. 

The spirits of all the boys were keen now, and 


186 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

as the Juniata was moving not far out from shore, 
they were deeply interested in all the sights they 
saw. The day was ideal, and the fair weather, 
which had followed them ever since the first morn- 
ing when they had left the dock at Buffalo, still 
continued. 

There was a time of special interest when the 
great steamer entered the canal which connects 
Portage Lake with Lake Superior, and the young 
travellers were aware that they were on the waters 
which cut the long arm of Northern Michigan 
from the rest of the State. They were now in the 
midst of the copper country, and when at last the 
Juniata was made fast to the dock at Houghton, 
they could see great piles — ^^cakes, ^^pencils, 
ingots, and sheets of copper — awaiting shipment. 

^^Four hours here,^^ explained Larcum. ^^We 
can take a trolley and go out to the copper mines 
if youM like to go.^^ 

'Hfil go,'^ said Scott, quickly. 

^^Excuse me,^^ said Lee. donT feel like 
I want to take any chances. 

^ ^Afraid you fil lose your ticket again, Lee?^^ 
laughed Larcum. 

take no chances, my friend,^’ replied Lee. 

^Hfil stay with Lee,'^ said John. 


/■ 


A LOSS 


187 


^^Good for you, Jack,^^ exclaimed Larcum. 
^^Lee was afraid he^d be lonesome/’ 

'^How far out do you go, Larc?” inquired Lee, 
ignoring the bantering words. 

^‘Twelve miles,” replied Larcum. 

'"You’d better leave your tickets with us,” 
suggested Jolm. 

"Leave our tickets with Lee? Well, I think 
not ! He’d have four to lose instead of one,” 
said Scott, emphatically. 

"You look out that you don’t lose more than 
your tickets,” called John, as his friends departed 
to seek the trolley, while John and Lee at once 
turned into the street that led up the hill into 
the village or "city” of Houghton, for the little 
place was credited with having forty-five hundred 
people that dwelt within its borders. In a brief 
time the two friends had forgotten their compan- 
ions in the new interest that arose at the sight of 
Mr. Smith and the man who had restored Lee’s 
ticket. 


CHAPTER XVI 

AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKES 

The two men, as they perceived the boys on 
the opposite side of the street, conversed together 
hurriedly for a moment, and then Mr. Smith 
crossed to the side where Lee and John were walk- 
ing. It was impossible to avoid him, much as the 
boys would have liked to do so, and in a moment 
the man in a confidential whisper said to Lee, 
^‘1 should like to speak to you for a moment.” 

^^All right, suh. Here I am.” 

don’t know that it will make any difference, 
but what I had to say was of a personal nature,” 
said the man, glancing about him uneasily, as 
the boys fancied. ^^The truth is,” he added after 
a brief delay, have come away without my 
pocketbook, and if you will let me have ten dol- 
lars, I’ll pay you as soon as we go back to the 
boat. I want to make a few purchases.” 

188 


AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKES 189 


^^All right, suh,^^ responded Lee, quickly, as 
he thrust his hand into his pocket. He did not 
explain that his own supply of money was limited, 
nor did he permit his prejudice against the man 
to influence him at the time. ^^Here it is, suh,^^ 
he said, as he held forth the bill. 

^^We have four hours here,^^ suggested John. 

^^So I understand, said Mr. Smith, glibly. 
'^That will give us all ample time. I trust you 
are enjoying yourselves. 

Without waiting for a response, the man at 
once recrossed the street and joined his companion, 
and the boys continued on their way up the street, 
which, in spite of some of the imposing build- 
ings, could not conceal the newness of the town, 
which was said to be one of the richest in the 
entire country. 

don^t believe in that man, Lee,^^ said John, 
sharply. 

feel a bit that way myself,^^ responded 
Lee, lightly. 

^^What did you let him have that money for, 
then? I wouldn^t.” 

^^No, I suppose not. But I couldn^t say no. 
Besides, I^m from the South — ” 

'^And I^m from New England broke in John, 



190 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


with a laugh. that what you meant to say? 
Well, all I can say is that I hope you will get your 
money back.^^ 

‘‘You don^t think I will? Quite likely you^re 
correct. I feel a bit like that myself. 

^Tome into the telegraph office/’ said John, 
as they stopped before the open door. ^^I’ll 
send a message home, just to let my people know 
everything is all right.” 

^^I’ll do the same,” responded Lee, and together 
the two boys entered the office, and each inquired 
what the rate was to his own home. 

^^Is it the same for ten words as for one?” 
inquired John. 

^^Just the same,” responded the operator. 

^^Lee,” whispered John, turning to his friend, 
“leUs get our full money’s worth. We’ll each 
of us write a message of ten full words.” 

^^I’m with you,” laughed Lee, and at once the 
boys began to write out their messages. Lee’s 
was speedily ready, but he did not hand it to the 
operator. Holding it in his hand, he waited for 
his friend to complete his also, for he suspected 
from the expression on John’s face that he was 
preparing a unique message. 

^^Let’s see yours, Lee,” said John, at last, 
. looking up from the desk. 


AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKES 191 


^^Here it is,” laughed Lee. got in the 
full ten words.^^ 

Taking the yellow paper in his hand, John 
threw back his head and laughed as he read — 
“ ^ Safe, safe, safe, safe, safe, safe, safe, safe, safe, 
safe.^ I^m afraid youdl scare your father, 
Lee,’^ he said. 

'^Not a bit of it. He knows me,^’ said Lee, 
laughing heartily. ^^Now, let me see yours, 
Jack.^^ 

John pushed the yellow paper on which he 
had been writing across the table, and Lee, taking 
it, read the message which his friend was to send 
home to his father. ^Transcontinental peregri- 
nations halted at municipality on peninsula. 
Peregrinators perfectly transported.^” 

^^You certainly will scare your father. Jack,” 
shouted Lee. 

'^Oh, no, he knows me,” retorted John, m his 
friend^s own words. 

Even the operator laughed when the boys 
handed him their messages, and John explained 
that if the charge was the same for ten words as 
it was for one and no difference was to be made 
for the length of the words, then they ^^might as 
well get full value for their money.” 


192 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


After a walk the length of the street, the boys 
turned back to the Juniata, and there taking 
seats on the deck, where they could overlook the 
dock, waited for their friends to return. The 
afternoon was well gone when at last Larcum 
and Scott came back, and from their manner it 
was evident that they had not had an especially 
enjoyable time. The sole explanation, however, 
that John was able to obtain was that people 
were no longer permitted to go down the mining 
shafts, and if they had known that, they never 
would have gone near the mines — words which 
Larcum snapped out in a manner that left no 
doubt as to the state of his feelings. 

It was not long before the steamer resumed her 
voyage, and when the sun had disappeared, the 
boys chanced to be on the deck where the steward 
was, and he called their attention to what he 
termed the northern lights. Certainly none of 
the boys had ever seen such a sight before. Long 
shafts of light shot up from the horizon into the 
heavens, sometimes trembling and quivering 
like a flame and then dying down and disappear- 
ing in the glow that had spread over the entire 
northern sky, while other shafts darted their 
long beams toward the zenith, as if huge invisible 


AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKES 193 


hands were at work below the dark waters of 
Lake Superior. 

^ ^ Wonderful murmured Scott. ^^Wedl re- 
member Lake Superior by that, fellows. I won- 
der what makes them, anyway 

^^Fve forgotten, replied Larcum, as if the 
question had been addressed to him. did 
know, but it has slipped my mind just now.^^ 
That's mighty unfortunate, Larc," laughed 
John. ^^You're the only chap that ever lived 
that understood the aurora borealis and you've 
just forgotten. It's a shame. Great loss to 
science." 

^^What did you say the botanical name for the 
northern lights was?" demanded Larcum, una- 
bashed. didn't quite catch it." 

Aurora borealis," answered John, laughing. 
Thank you," murmured Larcum. ‘‘1 wasn't 
just sure whether it was that or delirium tremens." 

^^Or sic semper tyranniSj^^ suggested Scott. 

'^I'll tell you what makes those lights," volun- 
teered the steward. ^^It's the sun shining on 
icebergs, that's what it is." 

guess it's an electrical display," said John. 
^^That's my opinion." 

^^Like enough," admitted the steward. ^^Well, 


194 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

whatever makes ^em, there^s one sure thing they 
themselves make. I never knew it to fail yet.^^ 

^^What^s that?” inquired Larcum. 

change in the weather. Wedl have rain 
inside o^ twenty-four hours, and probably inside 
o’ twelve. I never knew it to fail yet.” 

^^If it doesn’t come before we are at Duluth, it 
won’t bother us. If we should have a storm before 
we get there, it might bring on one of Scott’s 
headaches. I fancy you do have some great 
storms sometimes up here on Lake Superior?” 
John suggested to the steward. 

Great storms! Why, many’s the time I’ve 
seen the waves so high they shut out the sight o’ 
the sky. You don’t get any bigger ones any- 
where,” said the steward. 

Makes my head ache to think of it,” mused 
Lee. 

^Tome on, fellows. Let’s go up on the upper 
deck,” suggested Scott. don’t know what 
you fellows are so pleased about,” he added, as 
his companions laughed and followed him to 
the place he had suggested. 

The boys did not explain, and they remained 
on deck until it was quite late watching the brill- 
iant lights in the northern sky and peering down 


AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKES 195 


upon the great motionless body of water over 
which they were swiftly moving. 

^^Has your friend paid his debt?” demanded 
John of Lee when at last the boys sought their 
rooms. 

^^No, not yet,” responded Lee, cheerfully, 
don^t believe he will. You ought to ask 
him for it.” 

^‘1 can^t do that,” said Lee, quickly. ^^He’s 
going to the Yellowstone, too, you know, and 
hell have plenty of chances.” 

^^Hell have chances enough, but the question 
is whether or not hell take them. What time 
are we due at Duluth?” 

^^Right after breakfast.” 

Lee was correct, and before the boys left the 
dining room on the following morning they could 
see the long and somewhat straggling city of 
Duluth at the head of the Lakes. When they 
hastened to the deck, the first sight that impressed 
them was that of the immense aerial bridge across 
the harbor canal, one hundred and thirty-five feet 
above the water, so that vessels with the tallest 
of masts could pass directly under it. The bridge 
itself was three hundred and ninety-three feet in 
length, and at this very time a trolley car, appar- 


196 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


ently well filled with passengers, was being carried 
across, supported by the huge steel truss to which 
it had been attached. 

^^That’s the greatest sight I ever saw,’’ ex- 
claimed John. ^^It’s worth a trip from Boston 
just to see it.^’ 

^^Youfil see more than that before we^re done 
with it,’^ said Larcum, delighted by his friend’s 
enthusiasm. “I say, fellows, we’ll have our bag- 
gage carried up to the hotel, and then we’ll go 
down to the station to see if our car is there and 
find out when we leave.” 

“That’s Superior over there, isn’t it, Larc?” 
inquired John, pointing, as he spoke, toward a 
city which could be seen off to their left. 

“Yes. You see the two cities practically are 
one, though one is in Wisconsin and the other 
is in Minnesota.” 

“Hold on a minute, fellows,” said John, hastily, 
looking up from the circular which he had been 
consulting, “listen to this : ^The marine commerce 
of Duluth-Superior harbor for one season if loaded 
on freight-cars (forty tons to the car) would fill 
two trains, each reaching from New York to San 
Francisco.’ What do you think of that?” 

“Draw it mild. Jack,” admonished Scott. 


AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKES 197 


true. Every word is true/^ aflBrmed 

Larcum. 

^^What^s the population, Jack?^^ inquired Lee. 

^Tan^t tell to-day. Grows so fast can’t keep 
track of it from day to day. A hundred thou- 
sand or so. Come on ! Here we are !” 

The boys at once departed from the steamer, 
and as soon as Larcum had arranged for their 
baggage to be sent to the hotel, they all followed 
him as he led the way to the station. A few in- 
quiries served to inform him that the private 
car ^Trincess” was in the yard, and then at his 
word they speedily followed him down the track. 

In a brief time Larcum exclaimed, There she 
is !” And the boys speedily clambered on board, 
eager to examine their hotel on wheels.” Their 
enthusiasm, increased when the two colored men 
— George the cook and Henry the porter — 
explained that the car was already completely 
stocked and everything was in waiting for the 
coming of the young travellers. The train, George 
explained, was not due to depart until seven 
o’clock that night, so that they would be free to 
spend the entire day in the city at the head of 
the Lakes. 

An hour had elapsed before they left the car, 


198 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


however, so keen was their interest, and every- 
thing on board had been examined. There was 
a room in the rear of the car handsomely furnished 
which was to be their living room, then two 
bedrooms adjoining this, while beyond the bed- 
rooms was the dining room. Between the dining 
room and the kitchen and servants’ quarters 
were two berths (four if all were made up), and 
at Larcum’s suggestion the boys ^^drew lots” 
to see what the quarters of each of the young 
travellers were to be. To John and Lee the two 
bedrooms were assigned, while the berths fell 
to Scott and Larcum. 

^^If we don’t have a good time, the fault will 
not be Larc’s,” said Scott, enthusiastically, as 
the quartette departed from the car. 

^^If no one of us is sick — car sick or gets a 
headache — ” began John. 

Bother your headaches!” broke in Scott, as 
his friends began to laugh. ^^What I’d like to 
know is what greatest thing in the world is here 
at Duluth. I’ve become so used to that sight 
I haven’t time for much else.” 

^'Rightyou are, Scott,” replied John. ^^Well, 
I’ll tell you. Largest iron-ore docks in the world. 
Think you can remember that?” 


AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKES 199 


^^V\\ try to/^ 

It was a busy day for the boys, for, despite the 
rain, which, as if in fulfilment of the steward's 
prophecy, soon began to fall, they rode on the 
trolleys about the city, took the incline railway 
to the top of the mountain, and in a carriage rode 
the length of the boulevard that extended for miles 
above the city, along the side of the mountain. 
But at night when the hour arrived for them to 
go to their car they were not prepared for the 
experience that then befell them. 


CHAPTER XVII 

ACROSS THE PRAIRIES 

There was a downpour of rain when the boys 
scampered from the hotel to the near-by station, 
and with shouts and laughter they clambered 
up the steps of their car, which now was in the 
station attached to the rear end of the train which 
was soon to depart. 

Great guns !” exclaimed Scott, in a low voice, 
as he opened the door into their living room. 
^^Look there, fellows he added as he turned 
to his friends. ^^See what weVe got before us.^^ 

The boys instantly peered into the room, and 
there, seated in the most comfortable of the chairs, 
reading the evening paper, was their ^ Triend 
Mr. Smith. 

As the boys entered, the man glanced up smil- 
ingly, but did not offer to rise from his seat. ^^Ah, 
good evening. Glad to see you, young gentle- 
200 


ACROSS THE PRAIRIES 


201 


men/' he said cordially, and much as if he was 
welcoming guests into his own home. ^^This is 
a great storm we're having." 

The statement was too self-evident to be denied, 
and without waiting to dispute or affirm, the boys 
all crowded past their self-invited guest, handing 
their bags to the porter and pressing toward the 
quarters that had been assigned them. 

^^John, it looks like we-all will have to put up 
with that man all the way to the Yellowstone," said 
Lee, as he and his friend sought the two rooms 
which they had been so fortunate as to draw — 
rooms which communicated. 

^^He is certainly the worst I ever saw. Has 
he paid you that ten dollars?" 

'^Not yet," acknowledged Lee. 

Let's go out and make him disgorge or put 
him off the train. Who ever heard of such sub- 
hme, unmitigated, unparalleled — " 

'^There, Jack, that'll do," broke in Lee, with a 
laugh. ^^He won't stay very long. Hello ! We're 
off now, " he added eagerly, as the train began to 
move slowly. 

^‘Come on, fellows," called Larcum, from the 
passageway. We're going back into the sitting 
room. May need your help, too," he added. 


202 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Quickly Lee and John joined their friends, and 
as they returned to the room in the rear of the 
car, the friendly Mr. Smith still did not rise from 
the seat he had selected, nor did he offer any 
explanation for his presence in the car. The 
expression of irritation upon Larcum^s face was 
so pronounced that Scott laughed as he winked 
at his friends. Selecting such seats as remained, 
the boys all settled themselves into what was 
destined to be the routine of the long ride across 
the prairies. 

Just hear that rain ! ” said John, as a heavy 
dash came from the outer darkness against the 
window-panes. ^^This is what I call fun. Here 
we are speeding across the country, just as com- 
fortable as if we were in our own houses. The rain 
canT touch us, weVe all we want to eat, we have 
the very best kind of quarters, we have two of 
the best men to wait on us, and not a man can 
follow us here, not even the fellow that owes 
us money and wants to pay it,’^ he added, wink- 
ing meaningly at Lee as he glanced at the back 
of Mr. Smithes head. 

If their visitor heard the words, he evidently 
did not heed them, for he was still perusing the 
paper. 


ACROSS THE PRAIRIES 


203 


suppose you know, boys,^^ the man said 
suddenly, looking up from the paper in his hands, 
'Hhere’s a strike on this line.^’ 

‘^Strike? What kind of a strike said Lar- 
cum, quickly, aware also that his companions 
were as excited by the announcement as he. 
'^The telegraph operators are all out.” 

'^And this is a single-track road,” responded 
Larcum, with a whistle. ^^Oh, well, our chances 
are as good as any one^s. If we get stuck, why, 
wedl have to stay, that’s all; but weVe enough 
good things on hand to last for a few days and 
we shan’t starve. How are they off in the other 
cars, Mr. Smith?” he demanded, turning to their 
imwelcome visitor as he spoke. 

can’t just say,” replied Mr. Smith, cheerily, 
couldn’t get a section on the train, so I came 
in here, for I knew you boys would help me out. 
Probably to-morrow there will be no trouble.” 

Larcum’s face was a study as the man in his 
apparent confidence glibly explained how it was 
that he chanced uninvited to be in their car. 
Not a word was spoken in response to his implied 
request, and as the train was now moving more 
swiftly and the storm was momentarily becoming 
more severe, the spirits of the boys rose as if in 


204 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


response to the appeal of the wilder elements about 
them. 

^^This is like talking in poetry,” suggested Lar- 
cum, as the regular ^^click-click” of the turning 
wheels seemed to break up their conversation into 
regular measure. wish I could have done it 
this way for Dr. Hale when he wanted us to 
write metrical translations of Vergil.” 

^^You want to bring him and your Vergil, too, 
along on your next trip,” suggested Scott. ^^For 
my part, I never beheved much in talking in 
poetry, anyway.” 

^^No one expects a New Yorker to appreciate 
poetry,” suggested Lee. ^^He appreciates the 
market, and that^s about all — except himself.” 

^^Well, Vl\ tell you what, old man,” retorted 
Scott, a bit warmly, mean what I say, and I 
know what I^m talking about, too. We may 
care too much about the ^almighty dollar^ in 
New York, but you people don^t care much about 
human life. Just see what you do with the colored 
people ! Why, the other day I was reading that 
in a county in Arkansas — Baxter, no, Newton, 
I think it was — the whites had put to death 
every negro in the whole county. That^s worse 
than the worship of the dollar, isn^t it?” 


ACROSS THE PRAIRIES 


205 


Lee^s face flushed, but he spoke quietly as he 
said: ^^Oh, you saw that, too, did you? I saw 
it myself, and I looked it up, for it seemed to me 
like it was all crooked somehow. Now, what do 
you suppose I found? There was just one negro 
in that county about thirty years ago when it 
happened, and he got into some scrape when he 
was killed. Whether he deserved it or not I 
canT say, but that^s what happened to him. 
Then the newspaper men send out great scare- 
heads for you poor ignorant people in the North 
about how the entire negro population of a county 
had been exterminated. And you all swallow 
it like you were hungry. And there it was — 
one negro in the county and mighty few white 
men there, either.^’ 

'^What^s that got to do with talking poetry in 
your sleep, I^d like to know?” demanded Scott. 
^^For my part, I think a person can sing as mean 
things as he can talk. You fellows donT think 
I^m much on poetry and such stuff just because 
I happen to live in New York. But you just 
listen while I quote something to you.” In a 
voice absolutely without expression and so 
monotonous that there was not the slightest 
break in it, Scott began : ^ It isnT the things 


206 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


you do, dear, but the things you leave undone, 
that give one the heavy heartache at the setting 
of the sun/ Now, that^s poetry, and I’d like to 
have you fellows that know so much about those 
things just tell me who wrote it.” 

woman wrote it,” replied Larcum, hastily. 

'^Any fool would know that,” admitted Scott; 
^^but what woman? That’s the question.” 

^^It was Mrs. Browning,” said John, quietly. 

^^How do you know it was. Jack?” demanded 
Scott, in slight confusion. 

^^Why, I remember reading it in the Academy. 
We had it in English one day.” 

Maybe there is something in being born in 
Boston, after all,” sighed Scott, as his friends 
laughed. Still, I think I’d rather go without 
that than to have to take it at that price,” he 
added dolefully. ^^But say, fellows, now that 
woman wrote those words to her husband, or 
about him or something, and people called it all 
^ poetry.’ I call it nagging, and that’s what it is, 
too. It’s just plain, old-fashioned nagging set 
to rhyme and whine. Just think how Mr. Brown- 
ing must have felt when he read that poetry or 
heard it read, which must have been a hundred 
times worse.” 


ACROSS THE PRAIRIES 


207 


^^Why, she loved her husband/^ suggested 
Lee. 

should hate to have my wife love me that 
way/^ replied Scott, dismally. ^^Nagging is nag- 
ging, whether it’s just given straight or set to 
music. ^ Gives me the heavy heartache at the 
setting of the sun.’ Bah! I should think she 
would have had pain, and he, too !” 

The hours passed rapidly, and at last Henry 
was summoned and told that the boys were ready 
to retire. 

^^Yaas, sah. Yaas, sah,” responded the porter 
to Larcum’s demand, and then glancing at the 
intruder, he said, Shall I make up five beds?” 

^Hf you please,” responded Mr. Smith, glibly, 
am very grateful to you for your kindness. 
Doubtless by to-morrow I may be able to get a 
berth in some one of the other cars.” 

Ignoring the scowl that appeared on the faces 
of his friends, Larcum laughed good-naturedly 
and bade Henry make ready the additional 
berth. 

It was late on the following morning when the 
boys assembled in the room at the rear of the car. 
The storm had not yet ceased, and before they 
had arisen from their beds the young travellers 


208 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


had listened to the raindrops as they dashed 
against the windows. Every one had peered out 
of the windows when the train had stopped at 
Fargo and gazed out at the wide streets and the 
brick buildings that had been erected. There 
was an air of enterprise and thrift about the 
city, but even the appearance of the few men 
that could be seen about the station added to the 
impression of newness which the place itself 
imparted. 

The sun had appeared when the boys assembled 
ready for breakfast, and shining across the majestic 
wheatfields that extended far as the eye could 
see, made the sight which greeted their eyes 
doubly impressive. 

“ Why, it^s as level as a floor exclaimed John, 
as he looked out over the great stretch. ^^I^m 
afraid I shouldnT like to live here. I like the hills 
too well. This is too much of one thing to suit 
me.^’ 

^^That may be, Jack,’^ responded Larcum, 
'^but there are a great many people that like this 
better. We go East and are homesick for the 
prairies and want to look out without having the 
sight blocked by hills. 

^^Every man to his taste,’^ laughed John. 


ACROSS THE PRAIRIES 


209 


^'Say, fellows/’ inquired Larcum, ^Vhat am I 
going to do with this man ? He’s worse than the 
Old Man of the Sea. Did you ever hear of any- 
thing like it?” 

never did,” replied Scott, indignantly. 
^^His nerve is sublime. Going to give him his 
breakfast, Larc?” 

^Ht isn’t so much a question of my giving him 
his breakfast as it is of his taking it. I don’t 
know just what to do. I’ve been thinking about 
it all night. I couldn’t sleep — ” 

^^Yes, it sounded as if you couldn’t sleep,” 
interrupted Scott. ^‘1 thought we’d had an 
accident three or four times, but it turned out to 
be only your vocal efforts. My — but you — ” 

^^Hush! Here comes our modest friend,” 
broke in Lee. 

^^Good morning, good morning,” called Mr. 
Smith, glibly, as he joined the boys. trust 
I have not kept you waiting breakfast for me.” 

'^Not at all, Mr. Smith. It’s ready now, 
though, I see,” Larcum added, as Henry appeared 
with his summons. ^^Come on; we’re all ready, 
aren’t we?” 

Laughing and eager, the boys made their way to 
the dining room and seated themselves at the table. 


210 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


where Mr. Smith at once joined them, selecting 
the seat at the end of the table opposite the place 
where Larcum was seated. The appetites and 
spirits of the boys, however, were too keen to per- 
mit even the presence of their unbidden guest 
to retard them, and they gave themselves to 
the task of disposing of the tempting viands 
which George had prepared, with a zest that 
brought smiles to the face of that worthy in- 
dividual as well as to that of his companion. 

Think of it, fellows said Scott, enthusias- 
tically. ^^Here we are eating our breakfast at 
the rate of forty miles an hour.'’ 

^^That's right, Scott," assented Larcum. ^^All 
^the comforts of home,' too." 

^ All ' ! More you mean. Why, it isn't often 
I have such a breakfast as this. And then all 
this scenery, too. I can look out of the windows 
and see miles of wheatfields go running away. 
Then the sky and the soil and the — Yes, the 
mules and the men. ^ Great lot, Scott,' I say 
to myself." 

That's almost poetry. Did you know it or 
mean it, Scott?" demanded John. 

‘‘1 don't know. Here, help me up. I can't 
get out alone after all that breakfast." 


ACROSS THE PRAIRIES 


211 


“The train is going to stop/^ called Larcum. 
“Let’s get out and have a look at this part of the 
world.” As the boys followed, he turned and 
whispered to John, “I’ve got a scheme for getting 
rid of our nuisance. I’ll show you what it is.” 


CHAPTER XVIII 

SIOUX AND CHEYENNES 

It was a little hamlet where the train had halted, 
with the locomotive near the water-tank. A few 
men, apparently Swedes, Norwegians, or Ger- 
mans for the most part, were to be seen near the 
station, and then on every side far as the eye 
could see were the sweeping fields of wheat or 
pastures where great herds of cattle were feeding. 

^^My! but this is a great sight! I never ex- 
pected to see an3rthing like it,^’ said John, almost 
as if he was speaking to himself. ^‘1 think I’d 
like to stop here for a while and take in its sub- 
limity.” 

^^Good word,” laughed Larcum, ^^but it doesn’t 
seem to have affected every one in that way. 
Look at this,” and as he spoke Larcum pointed to 
a huge scrawl in chalk on the timbers of the trestle 
near them. 


212 


SIOUX AND CHEYENNES 


213 


'^'Good-by. Going back east never to return 
no more. 4 mths in the west enuff for me. 
J. R. he read aloud. 

^ Triend of yours, Larc?^^ queried Lee. 

^To, he^s the kind we ship East.^' 

^Tes, I noticed a few of that kind in the 
Academy,’^ said Lee, demurely. 

^Tere comes the conductor,’^ said Larcum 
suddenly, although apparently he was not sur- 
prised at the coming of the official. On the other 
side of the train George might have been seen 
peering under the cars at the group on the op- 
posite side, his face illumined by an expansive 
grin. 

Even Mr. Smith seemed to be interested in the 
approach of the conductor, and for a moment 
glanced suspiciously at Larcum, but there was 
nothing on the face of that worthy young man to 
betray any previous knowledge of the purpose of 
the official in coming. 

'^Good morning,’^ called the conductor, cor- 
dially, as he approached. am looking for Mr. 
Brown, he added, glancing for a moment at the 
telegram he held in his hand. 

^^I^m the one you want, then,^’ replied Larcum, 
quickly. '^Any word for me?^' 


214 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


no/^ responded the conductor. ^^How 
many in your party 

^^Four/' said Larcum, with decision. 

^^Ah 1 Yes. I see/^ responded the conductor. 
'^This man is not of our party. He was with us 
in our car last night because he couldn’t get a 
section on the train.” 

The conductor’s face expressed his surprise as 
he said: ^^Why, that’s too bad. There must be 
some mistake. There certainly is room now, and 
I can promise him accommodations if he will 
come with me.” 

Thank you,” murmured Mr. Smith, though 
there was little of enthusiasm in his manner. ^Hf 
it’s all the same to you — ” 

^^Must start now,” broke in the conductor. 

Good-by, Mr. Smith,” called Larcum, with 
greater cordiality than he had before manifested. 
His companions added their words of farewell, 
and almost before the astounded man was aware 
of what had occurred, the boys had bounded up 
the steps of their car, closed the gate, and with- 
drawn into the drawing room. 

^^He doesn’t seem to know just what to do,” 
said Scott, who was peering out of the window. 

There he goes,” he added with a sigh of relief. 


SIOUX AND CHEYENNES 


215 


^^and he’ll have to hurry up, too. Good-by, Mr. 
Smith, good-by,” he added, singing the words 
although the object of the song was unable to hear 
them. 

The train was not yet under full headway, and 
the boys were rejoicing over their relief from the 
presence of the self-invited guest whom no one 
seemed to be able to shake off, when their laughter 
suddenly ceased and an expression of consternation 
crept over their faces as the very man of whom 
they had been speaking appeared before them. 

^^Ah, boys,” said Mr. Smith, cordially. 
must have left my ticket here. I don’t seem to 
be able to find it. Perhaps some one has seen it ? ” 

Every one declared that he had not seen the 
missing pasteboard, and a search was at once 
begun, but the ticket could not be found. Press- 
ing the button, Larcum summoned Henry and 
inquired of him if he had seen the lost ticket, but 
the porter was positive nothing had been found. 

^^That is very unfortunate — very,” said Mr. 
Smith, a frown appearing on his face. ^^You are 
positive you have not seen a ticket anywhere?” 
he inquired of Henry, who was still in the room. 

^^Yaas, sah. Yaas, sah,” replied Henry, hur- 
riedly. 


216 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^That’s all we want, Henry, said Larcum 
quickly, and the porter at once withdrew. 

^^You know as well as I do,^^ said Mr. Smith, 
meaningly, ^Hhat Henry is probably not entirely 
to be trusted.^^ 

don’t know anything of the kind,” retorted 
Larcum, indignantly. 

^^You have had little experience, then,” said 
Mr. Smith. know them, and I am sure that 
ticket of mine was — was taken in this car.” 
The man spoke in a low tone, but there was an 
expression in his eyes that to Larcum at least 
seemed to be threatening. “1 shall take pains to 
have him arrested as soon as I can telegraph 
ahead,” said Mr. Smith, calmly. 

“What?” demanded Larcum, aghast. 

“Yes. I shall have him arrested. I had a 
ticket, and it is gone. I must have my transpor- 
tation. If the colored man has my ticket, I shall 
make him disgorge. I must have my ride, and on 
this train, too.” 

Larcum was so angry that he failed to observe 
the smile of amusement that appeared on John’s 
face. “I don’t believe you’d better have him 
arrested,” he said in a low, intense voice. 

“I certainly shall — if I don’t have my ride,” 


SIOUX AND CHEYENNES 


217 


replied the man, glibly. For a moment Larcum 
was silent before he said, ^^Well, you stay where 
you are for a while, anyway, till I see what can be 
done.^^ 

Thank you, sir. It matters little to me how 
it is done. I intend to have my ride. I am averse 
to trouble, and I shall not make any unless I am 
compelled to.^^ 

The man^s assurance was so massive that his 
young hearers almost gasped. Lee was the first 
to recover, and he said with almost an air of 
apology, ^^You don’t happen to have ten dollars 
about you, do you, suh?” 

^‘1 am sorry to say I have not. After I paid 
you, I put all my money in the purse with my 
ticket, and that has gone, too.” 

^ ^ After you paid me 1” gasped Lee. 

^^Why, yes. Of course you recall the fact that 
I handed you two five-dollar bills just before you 
left the Juniata at Duluth.” 

The expression of Lee’s face was such that the 
anger of his comrades increased. 

^^Why, suh, I have no recollection of any such 
thing, suh. It seems like I would not have for- 
gotten it,” Lee said quietly. 

^^Oh, you have,” retorted the man, lightly. 


218 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


“You look about and youdl find those bills. I^m 
sure you will.^^ 

“Lee, perhaps they he where Mr. Smithh 
ticket is/^ suggested John. 

The suggestion, however, did not produce any 
response, and soon the boys arose and made their 
way to the dining room, which now was cleared, 
and there for a time not even their interest in the 
sights they could see from the windows of the 
car seemed to modify their anger. 

When luncheon was prepared, Henry placed a 
plate on the table for the friendly visitor, who had 
apparently fastened himself upon their company 
and taken the chair he had occupied in the morning, 
without a word of explanation. Perhaps if the 
boys had been older or had had more experience, 
they might have rid themselves of their unwel- 
come guest, but as it was, the pleasure of their 
trip was being decidedly marred by the assurance 
with which Mr. Smith made himself one of them. 
The boys were also somewhat afraid of the man's 
threat of arresting Henry. If Mr. Smith was 
aware of the effect of his words, he betrayed no 
sign, and talked throughout the meal in his most 
affable manner, either unaware or ignoring the 
feelings of his hosts. 


t 


SIOUX AND CHEYENNES 


219 


Late in the afternoon the train began to enter 
-he region which commonly was known as the 
^Bad Lands/' Here great pyramids, having 
every appearance of having been carved by the 
hand of man, could be seen, some large, some 
small, some having edges almost as keen as a 
ridge, and others of varying and various forms. 
They were sprinkled over the region almost like 
huge ant-hills, and as the wonders increased with 
the passing of the train, the interest of the boys 
also became more pronounced. 

^ ^ Just look at them !" said Scott. Miles and 
miles of them just as far as one can see. I don't 
wonder they are called ^Bad Lands.' It doesn't 
look as if anything could grow here." 

'^That is where you are mistaken," said Mr. 
Smith, quietly. ^^All this region is exceedingly 
valuable. There is an abundance of coal here, 
and the land is just right for stock-raising." 

^‘1 don't see any stock," said John. 

^^You will, but the best part is a little farther 
back from the railroad. You will find a great 
many stock pens all along here where there isn't 
the sign of a house. The cattlemen drive in their 
stock here and ship it to Chicago. The president 
owns a valuable ranch back here." 


220 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^What do they call this the ^Bad Lands’ for, 
then?’’ demanded Scott. 

^^The old voyageurs are to blame for that,” 
laughed Mr. Smith, ^^for they called this part of 
the country Mauvaises Terres pour traverser. 
Perhaps one of you can translate that for us.” 

^^Bad lands to travel through,” said John, 
promptly. 

The railroad now wound in and out, crossing 
ravines and skirting hills and crossing streams, 
then stretching away across level prairies once 
more, yet never once losing sight of the curious 
formations of the Bad Lands. 

^^They call this Pyramid Park now,” explained 
Mr. Smith. 

There are cones enough to give it a name,” 
said John. 

should think this would have been a great 
place for the Indians,” said John. ^^They could 
hide in here, and I don’t see how any one could 
find them.” 

^^It was a great place for them,” said Mr. Smith. 
^^This park goes on clear to Glendive, Montana, 
and I can tell you there have been some lively 
times all around here.” 

Was it here General Custer had his fight with 
the Indians?” inquired Lee. 


SIOUX AND CHEYENNES 221 

^^Not his great fight, — his last one, — though of 
course he was all through this region. It was the 
last of June in 1876 when Custer^s men — those of 
the Seventh Cavalry, I mean — had their troubles. 
That was in Montana. They were marching up 
the slope of the Rosebud River. They never had 
a thought that they would have any really seri- 
ous trouble, but Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse 
almost wiped them out of existence, or their 
warriors did. The little stream where Custer^s 
men had encamped was then called Clear Creek, 
but now it is known as Lame Deer Creek. Ever 
hear the story of Lame Deer?^^ 

said Larcum, interested in spite of his 
feeling of anger. 

After Custer ^s defeat, the country seemed to 
wake up to what it had to do, and soldiers galore 
were sent here and they began to scour the whole 
region. And they had their hands full, too. 
They just had to kill or starve the redskins into 
submission. 

^^What were the Indians here?^^ inquired 
John. 

Sioux. But the Cheyennes took a hand in it 
then, too, and of all the savage savages they were 
the worst.’’ 


222 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^Lame Deer a Cheyenne inquired John. 

^^No. He was a Sioux. He held out longer 
than almost any other chief. The trouble dragged 
on until May, 1877, when General Miles, who had 
been doing his best to trap the rascal, finally, early 
one morning, surprised him at what is now called 
Lame Deer Creek. It was a good spot for a fight, 
and a good one they had, too. Of course the 
regulars won out at last, as they were bound to, 
and the scattered Indians took to the hills. But 
Lame Deer didn’t run. He was dead, and there’s 
a cave — a slit in the rocks in a mountain over in 
Rosebud Valley — where it is believed, — yes, 
known, I may say, — that he was buried.” 

Where are these Indians now?” asked Lar- 
cum. 

^^On reservations. They won’t give us any 
more trouble. It seems hard sometimes to think 
of their having to give up their lands to us who 
never had any real right to it.” 

“Can’t be helped now,” said Larcum, glibly. 
“Have to take what comes.” 

Somehow when night fell and dinner was served, 
it was found impossible to speak the word that 
should compel their unwelcome guest to leave 
them. Perhaps it was fear of trouble he might 


SIOUX AND CHEYENNES 223 

make, or it may have been his very cool assurance 
and the youthfulness of the travellers combined 
to make it difficult to speak the decisive word. 
At all events, on the following morning, when 
Henry summoned them, Mr. Smith was already 
dressed and announced that they were near the 
end of their journey. 


CHAPTER XIX 


THE ENTRANCE 

As the young travellers assembled about the 
breakfast table, their excitement was inspiring. 
The clear air, the lofty mountains that could be 
seen in the distance, the clear waters of the stream 
that was flowing swiftly near the railway, as well 
as the excellent breakfast which George had pre- 
pared, and the knowledge that they would soon 
see the place where their car would be switched 
to the road that led directly to the Park, all com- 
bined to make them so light-hearted that not even 
the presence of Mr. Smith, whom they were still 
unable to shake off, could interfere. 

^^This ethereal circumambient is so remarkably 
clarified, murmured John as he was helped for 
the third time to some of George^s muffins, that 
the visual results are marvellously mystifying. 

^^Oh, quit that, Jack!^^ shouted Larcum. 
^^This isn’t Boston. This is Montana.” 


224 


THE ENTRANCE 


225 


Ignoring the laughter of his friends, John said : 
^^Well, come, now ! Tell me how far away those 
mountains off there to our right are.’^ 

Three miles, replied Lee, promptly. 

^ Three ’ ! ^ Three miles ’ retorted John, 

sharply. ^^They are nearer twenty.^’ 

^^Your Boston goggles are disjointed, Jack!^’ 
laughed Scott. 

^^Ask George,’^ said John. ^^He’s been here 
before; he knows. 

^^They are from ten to twelve miles,” said Mr. 
Smith, quietly. 

Somehow the boys did not dispute the assertion, 
and John said, ^^That^s nearer twenty than it is 
three, isn’t it?” 

'^No. I leave it to the crowd if I am not right,” 
said Lee, triumphantly. ^^It’s wonderful how 
easily one is deceived here. The air is so clear 
that a mountain miles away looks as if you 
could walk to it in a half-hour. Larc, I hope you 
won’t try any of your tramping around here.” 

As Larcum’s prejudice against any active 
physical exercise outside his athletic games was 
well known, the boys all noisily expressed their 
delight at John’s warning, but as the train was 
now drawing into Livingston, they hastily ended 


226 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOW STONE 


their meal and at once departed for tl rear 
platform of the car. 

It was a strange sight which greeted their eyes. 
A long platform extended in front of the beautiful 
station which the Northern Pacific had erected at 
this place. On the side tracks were trains and 
many private cars not unlike the Princess in 
their appearance. Crowds of people, too, were to 
be seen on every side, and the scene was one, 
aside from the natural beauty of the region, to 
increase the interest of the excited boys. 

As soon as their train was stopped, Larcum called 
to George and Henry to guard the possessions, 
which they left in the car, and then the boys hastily 
joined the moving throng on the platform of the 
station. 

^'All these people going to the Yellowstone 
Park, Larc?’^ inquired Scott. 

^^Yes. I don’t know. I suppose so. You 
fellows keep within sight while I go into the 
station and find out what we’ll have to do,” 
replied Larcum as he hastily ran to the offices. 

In a brief time he returned, and as he joined 
the boys, said, We have to lie over here till one 
o’clock.” 

That’s not bad. I’m glad of it. It’ll give 


THE ENTRANCE 


227 


us a chance to see Livingston. IVe always 
wanted to examine one of these new towns/ ^ said 
Scott. 

^'We^ll have plenty of time for that, then/^ 
laughed Larcum. ^^WeVe one drawback, 
though.^’ 

^ ^What’s that? inquired John. 

There’s a big excursion party going into the 
Park to-day. Probably they will go in on the 
same train that’ll take our car.” 

^^What difference will that make?” demanded 
Scott. '^We shan’t bother them, and they won’t 
bother us.” 

^^That remains to be seen,” replied Larcum. 
^Tome on; we’ll — ” 

Suddenly he stopped and looked keenly at a 
little group of five people who were standing near 
the boys on the platform. There were a man and 
woman in middle life in the party, and also three 
girls or young ladies apparently of the age of the 
young travellers. It was evident that they were 
interested in the four boys, for all five were look- 
ing keenly at them, and it was plain that they had 
been speaking of them. 

Larcum hastily took his cap from his head, and 
ran to the place where the five were standing, and 


228 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


it was quickly evident that he had been recog- 
nized, for he was greeted so cordially that he 
surely had found old friends. In a moment he 
returned, and taking the boys with him presented 
them in turn to Mrs. and Mr. Lawrence, their 
two daughters. Miss Kate and Miss Jean, and 
then to Miss Margaret Bowman, and explained 
that the Lawrences were old friends of his family, 
and that now they, in company with Miss Mar- 
garet, were about to make the tour of Yellow- 
stone Park. For the last-named young lady 
the boys almost instinctively had a feeling of 
dislike, for she greeted them so effusively and was 
so loud in her talk that people passing on the 
platform stopped and stared at her. 

After expressing his pleasure at meeting the 
boys and inquiring concerning Larcum^s family 
and hearing his plans, Mr. Lawrence said: “We 
all have to wait here until one o’clock. We were 
about to take a little walk about the town. Per- 
haps you and your friends would like to join us.” 

The boys all expressed their desires to join 
the party, and after Larcum had excused himself to 
go back to the car for a moment and leave some 
directions with George, they at once started on a 
tour of inspection. 


THE ENTRANCE 


229 


The buildings and streets of the little city of 
six thousand inhabitants were attractive, al- 
though the air of newness was apparent on every 
side. But the streets were well kept, the shops 
were attractive, and the interest of the visitors 
was sufficient to make the experience enjoyable 
to them all. 

As they turned into one of the ^'residence 
streets, where the little story-and-a-half houses 
apparently had all been erected on one plan. Miss 
Margaret, who was walking with John, turned to 
him and said, ^^You are from Boston?” 

^^Yes,” laughed John. ^^How did you know 
that?” 

should know it by your talk, though I heard 
Mr. Lawrence say so. Besides, I saw your name 
in a book this summer when I was there.” 

'^My name in a book? Oh, you mean you saw 
my name written in a book. Probably it was 
one of my text-books, though I canT understand 
how you happened to see it.” 

^^It wasnT written. It was printed.” 
donT understand.” 

^^It was in the city directory,” and the girl 
laughed loudly as she spoke. 

^^No. You didn’t see my name. You may 


230 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


have seen my father^s. You know Ihn a 
junior/^ 

all the same/^ It seemed to John as if 
she was laughing all the time with an occasional 
interjection of a word. ^^My! Did you ever see 
such houses? What do you suppose made the 
people build such hideous affairs They were 
at the time passing one of the houses before the 
piazza of which a vigorous green vine was growing. 

Because they donT know any better/^ sud- 
denly spoke up a woman who had been seated on 
the piazza and screened from sight by the vine in 
front. As she spoke she advanced to the steps 
and kindly greeted the party, which at her words 
stopped on the street before her home. 

John^s face had flushed at the words of his 
companion, but apparently Miss Margaret was 
untroubled, for she said quickly to the woman, 
^^That^s too bad.^^ 

^TanT be helped, said the woman, good- 
naturedly. ^^My husband and I are old timers 
here, and weVe never seen anything else.^^ 

^^How long have you lived here?’^ inquired 
Mr. Lawrence, pleasantly. 

^^Oh, weTe old settlers. WeVe been here four 
years.’' 


THE ENTRANCE 


231 


you like it?^^ 

^^Oh, yes, we like it. We’re making money 
here, so we’ve got to like it. Still if I could do 
what I wanted to I’d go back East, where I was 
born and raised.” 

Where was that?” 

Minnesota.” 

With difficulty the boys repressed the smile that 
arose at her words, and as they passed on, John 
said to Miss Margaret, ^‘1 suppose Minnesota is 
east, at least it’s east of here, but I should hardly 
speak of it as being ^East’ myself.” 

^^Of course you wouldn’t,” and as she spoke, 
the girl turned and danced about upon the street. 
^^You people think you’ve got it all.” 

You hve in the West, I see,” said John, striving 
to conceal his annoyance at the actions of his 
companion. 

You’re right I do, and I’m proud of it, too. 
I don’t want any of your crowded East for me. 
My father has fifteen hundred acres, and I can 
saddle a horse and do it myself and ride away as 
far as I want to any time in the day and not be 
crowded off the earth to do it, either. I’m from 
Oklahoma, I’d have you know.” 

^^Are you, indeed?” murmured John. 


232 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^'Yes, sir, I am,’^ she declared as if she chal- 
lenged him to deny it ; but apparently he had no 
inchnation to do so. 

'^Do you know how large Yellowstone Park is 
John inquired. 

You’re right I do. It has thirty-three hun- 
dred and twelve acres in it, not counting the forests 
around it. I’ve been there bushels of times. Did 
you ever see it?” 

^^No, I never have,” he answered quietly. 

^^Well, you needn’t feel so bad. You’re going 
to see it now, and I’ll help you. I can point out 
lots of things.” 

'^How long is this branch road from Living- 
ston to the Park?” 

“Fifty-four miles. Any other questions?” 

“I think not,” said John, quietly, and through- 
out the remainder of the walk back to the station 
Miss Margaret had the entire control of all that 
was said. 

“Now I want you and your party to come to our 
car and ride with us up to Gardner,” said Larcum 
to Mr. Lawrence, when the party had returned. 

“What do you say, young ladies?” said Mr. 
Lawrence, laughingly, turning to the younger mem- 
bers of his own party. 


THE ENTRANCE 


233 


^^Oh, we say do it. It will be perfectly fine 
exclaimed Miss Margaret, clapping her hands and 
dancing about the platform. A frown appeared 
for a moment on the face of the man, but as his 
own daughters approved, he accepted the invita- 
tion, promising to be at the car promptly on 
time. 

Where do you suppose our friend is — I 
mean Mr. Smith?” inquired Lee, as the boys 
sought their car. 

^^Oh, hedl show up at luncheon,” said Larcum, 
confidently. But at that time the uninvited 
guest failed to appear, and when their other 
guests arrived and the long train pulled out of 
the Livingston station, still he had not been seen. 

For a time the interest of all was too keen in 
the magnificent scenery through which they were 
passing to waste much time in conversation, 
although there were frequent sounds of laughter 
and shouts, and Miss Margaret seemed to be 
supremely happy, for she was seldom interrupted 
in the flow of her words. 

All those tourists are on the train ahead of us,” 
said Scott, after a period of silence. ^^What will 
they do with us when we get into the Park?” 

^^They won^t waste any time on us,” replied 


234 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

Mr. Lawrence. the way, boys, have you 

made any arrangements for a coach 

'^No, sir,’^ responded Larcum, promptly. ^^But 
I have a letter to one of the officials that will 
help us out, I think. 

want you to look out here and see this 
cahon,’^ said Mr. Lawrence, quickly. 

On either side, and rising almost perpendicularly 
to a height of two thousand feet above the valley, 
were the great mountain walls. The sight was 
sublime and the enthusiasm of the party was un- 
bounded. As many as could find room crowded 
upon the rear platform, and the others, gazing 
from the windows of the car, looked out upon the 
marvellous sight. 

Soon the train entered the beautiful region 
which was known as Paradise Valley, and the 
irrepressible Miss Margaret insisted upon point- 
ing out the special places of interest. ^^That^s 
Emigrant Peak over there,^^ she declared, '^and 
it^s six thousand feet above the valley. Mind 
you, I donT say the level of the ocean, but of the 
valley. And over there is Electric Mountain. 
That^s the highest point we can see from here.’’ 

^Tan you climb it?” inquired John. 

‘^No, sir, I can’t.” 


THE ENTRANCE 


235 


any one?” 

one has. They say the lightning around 
it when there is a thunder storm is just too great 
for anything. That^s the DeviPs Slide over there 
on Cinnebar Mountain. You can see it over 
there. They say it^s over two thousand feet long, 
right there on the side of the mountain.” 

^^Did you ever try it?” said Larcum, grimly. 

^^Did I ever try it? Do I look like — ” 

Never mind that,” said Mrs. Lawrence, 
quickly. 

There we are. Here^s Gardner ! ” called Miss 
Margaret at last, as the unique little station, built 
of logs, could be seen. 

'^There^s the arch,” said Mrs. Lawrence, as 
the great stone arch which had been dedicated 
by President Roosevelt in 1903 came into view. 

There are the coaches, too.” And all the young 
people eagerly peered at the huge coaches, with 
their six horses for each coach, that were await- 
ing the arrival of the train. 


CHAPTER XX 

HOT SPRINGS 

In a brief time the train was emptied of its 
passengers, and while Larcum and Scott were 
busied in making arrangements with George for 
the disposition of the Princess ’’ during the week, 
the other members of the party hastened to the 
quaint and attractive log station. The crowd 
that was assembled here was inspiring of itself, 
but acting upon the advice of Mr. Lawrence, 
arrangements were at once made for securing 
linen dusters that were to be used during the 
five days which the tour of the Park required. 
When Scott and Larcum rejoined their friends, 
the latter shouted as he became aware of the 
appearance of the other members of the party. 
Some of the dusters were too long for their 
occupants, and others rendered their wearers 
somewhat grotesque. 


236 


HOT SPRINGS 


237 


‘^Get your dusters, boys,” called Mr. Lawrence. 
‘^I’ll see about a coach.” 

By the time Mr. Lawrence returned, both 
Larcum and Scott also were clad in their linen 
coats, and despite the fact that their coach would 
soon be ready Scott insisted upon arranging the 
entire party against the background of the log 
walls of the station while he snapped” them with 
his kodak. 

Laughing and eager, the party then took their 
places on the platform to await the coming of 
their coach, and in a brief time the six horses 
came prancing up to the place where their load 
was to be received. The younger members of 
the party clambered up to the seats on top, 
while Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence sought seats 
within. 

^'Room for one more up there on top,” called 
the starter, as he seized an elderly woman by the 
arm to assist her to climb up to the place assigned 
to her. 

Mercy! Mercy me! I canT get up there!” 
cried the woman, aghast. ^^IVe got the rheuma- 
tiz. I just won’t do it! I shan’t! I shan’t!” 
she screamed; but despite her protests she was 
assisted by the men below, and as Larcum at the 


238 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


same time grasped her arms and lifted, she was 
speedily in the one remaining seat. 

‘^1 never can get down, never she groaned, 
as she looked down upon the ground, but the 
arrangements were working with the precision of 
clockwork, and before her complaints were 
ended, the driver had gathered the reins in his 
hands and the coach was started on its way to 
the Mammoth Hot Springs. The experience was 
exhilarating, and the spirits of the young people 
quickly responded to the appeal which the clear 
and bracing air and the novelty of the ride and 
the scenery produced. It was a steady climb, 
and for a time the horses were moving slowly, 
but the roads which the government had built 
were excellent, the horses were accustomed to their 
task, and the sight of the cliffs that rose fifteen 
hundred feet above the canon through which the 
beautiful Gardner River flowed provided an un- 
ceasing interest to all the young travellers. 

^^Oh, look there! See that!’^ exclaimed Miss 
Kate, suddenly, pointing as she spoke to a huge 
shaft on the crown of which an eaglets nest could 
be plainly seen. 

must have that!^^ she added as she swung 
her camera into position and obtained a picture 


HOT SPRINGS 


239 


of the wonderful sight. Her example was fol- 
lowed by her friends, despite the laughing protest 
of John that they must be careful or their films 
would soon be all used. 

^^Up there, said the driver, pointing with his 
whip toward some cliffs high in the air, ^^is where 
the mountain sheep and elk go to feed in the 
summer.’^ 

^^How perfectly lovely!’^ exclaimed Miss Mar- 
garet. Shall we see any of them?^^ 

^ ^ Probably not. They come down in the winter. 
That shack back there that we passed a spell ago 
is where they feed the sheep in the winter.’^ 

^^Are they as tame as that?^’ inquired Scott. 
donT know whether it^s because they 
are tame or hungry.’^ 

^ ^ How about the bears ? ” inquired Lee. ^ ^ Shall 
we see any of them?^^ 

Plenty.’^ 

say, Lee, do you know why bears here have 
such short tails asked John. 

^TanT help it,^^ answered Lee. ^^That^s the 
way they he born. They he not to blame for it.” 

^^No. YouTe all wrong. It^s because one or 
two men have told so many Tales^ of the Yellow- 
stone bears theyTe all worn off.” 


240 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

wouldn^t have believed that of you, Jack/’ 
said Lee, joining in the groan that arose at John’s 
attempt at a pun. 

^^It’s the elevation that’s to blame,” laughed 
John. ^ ^ You see I’m having a high time and — ” 

^^Stop your coach and put him off!” shouted 
Scott. But the driver laughed and only urged 
his laboring horses onward. 

About these bears — they’re mostly grizzly 
bears, aren’t they?” inquired Scott of the 
driver. 

^^I’ve never seen a grizzly bear here myself. 
I know some people call them by that name, but 
they’re mostly black or cinnamon. Sometimes a 
cross between a silver tip and a cinnamon gets 
called a grizzly, but that’s about as near’s they 
come to being a grizzly in my opinion.” 

Do they bite?” asked Miss Jean. 

Not if you leave them alone.” 

^^Oh, I’ll leave them alone,” said the girl, and 
all her friends laughed at her eagerness. 

^^What a dreadful place for one to be lost in,” 
suggested Miss Margaret. 

‘^Yes,” said John, ^'but if a man had a compass, 
he’d be all right.” 

^^How would that help him?” the girl asked. 


HOT SPRINGS 


241 


“Why, the compass always points north, ex- 
plained John. 

“Yes, I know that,’’ retorted Miss Margaret, 
“but suppose a man wanted to go east or south. 
How would that help him, I’d like to know.” 

A shout arose from her companions at her 
words, and for a moment the girl was inclined to’ 
be angry, but thinking better of it, she joined in 
the laugh, although it was evident she still did not 
see the cause of her friends’ delight. 

“There’s a bug on your neck. Miss Jean,” 
called Scott, sharply. 

“Mercy! Take it off! Kill it!” she screamed. 

“Oh, it’s harmless,” he said banteringly. 
“Still, if I were you, I’d keep an eye on it.” 

“How can I keep an eye on it? I’m not cross- 
eyed,” she demanded frantically, and the renewed 
laughter of her friends increased her confusion. 

“There ! It’s gone now,” said Scott, soothingly. 
“Not many such things are up here at this alti- 
tude, I fancy. Any snakes up here, driver?” 
he added. 

“Hardly any. It’s too high and too cold. 
Had snow last week.” 

“Snow!” exclaimed Miss Kate. “Snow in 
July?” 


242 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTC NE 


^^Yes. IVe seen it here every month i 
year.^^ 

^^Well, I’m glad of it. This is an expi ^ 
trip, and I want to get all I can for my mar . . or 
rather for Larc’s,” said John, soberly. 

Yes, everything is high here,” murmured Scott, 
ignoring the renewed groaning of his friends. 
“I don’t complain, anyway, because it costs more 
to live than it did a few years ago. It’s worth 
more to live now.” 

^^You probably know a great deal about it. 
You’d better ask your father how he feels about 
it,” said John. ^^I don’t blame people for being 
angry myself. I don’t wonder the agitators are 
getting busy. By the way, there’s a man in the 
coach ahead of us that Mr. Lawrence told me had 
done more to arouse people in this country than 
any other man in it.” 

^^Dreadful!” exclaimed Miss Margaret. '^I 
shouldn’t think they’d let such terrible men come 
into the Park. What does he do?” 

^^He makes alarm clocks,” said John, soberly. 

Again there was a shout of laughter, for not much 
was required to make the young people respond to 
any appeal. 

^^There’s the hotel,” said the driver, suddenly. 


HOT SPRINGS 


243 


Instantly the interest of the party was trans- 
ferred to the sight before them, and as the road- 
way now led along the level plateau on which the 
hotel was located, the driver started his horses 
into a swifter pace, and in a brief time the huge 
coach drew up in front of the building. 

As the party alighted, Mr. Lawrence said: ^Mdl 
leave you boys to look after our luggage while I 
see what can be done about our rooms.^^ And at 
once Mr. Lawrence joined the line of men that 
was moving toward the desk. It was a half- 
hour before he returned, and then he said: ^MVe 
had my troubles. Almost everything is taken. 
The very best I can do is to take two rooms on 
the third floor. There are three beds in each, and 
if the ladies take one room, and we take the other, 
wedl be fairly well off.^^ 

Miss Margaret^s face scowled, but Lee quickly 
said: ^^That^s the very thing, suh. WeTe fortu- 
nate to get that much when we see what a crowd 
there is here.^^ 

The good nature of the party was not to be 
disturbed, and as soon as they had gone to their 
rooms and completed their ablutions, they assem- 
bled once more on the piazza of the hotel. 

^Mf you young gentlemen agree, said Mr. 


244 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Lawrence, when the entire party had assembled, 
think it would be fine to engage one of the 
coaches that carry only nine people. You know 
each party retains its own coach- all through the 
Park, and they all go on every morning in the 
same order in which they leave here.^^ 

^^The very thing exclaimed Larcum, quickly. 
'^That is, if it will not be too much trouble to you 
to arrange for it. Let me go with you and help 
in getting one,^’ he added eagerly. 

^^No. No. You stay here. I don’t know how 
long it will take me, but I suggest that we get a 
guide, and while I am arranging for the coach, the 
rest of you can go out and see the terraces. I’ll 
join you soon.” 

Despite Larcum’s protest this plan was adopted, 
and in a brief time, led by a guide, the party 
started on their tour. 

There were many extinct craters and huge 
openings in the formations to be seen, and in the 
high altitude nearly every one found the climb- 
ing which was necessary to be done somewhat 
difficult. Still, the eagerness and interest of all 
were not to be abated by any such means as that, 
and without a murmur they followed the guide 
as he led the way. 


HOT SPRINGS 


245 


A huge, extinct hot-spring cone fifty-two feet 
high, near the foot of Terrace Mountain, first 
attracted their interest, and here they stopped 
while several of the party took a stand near the 
base, and photographs were obtained by the others. 

Liberty Cap” the guide called the strange 
cone, and later called their attention to another 
almost equally strange which he said was the 
Devihs Thumb. 

^MVe heard of him, but I never saw any part 
of him before,” murmured Lee. 

'^DoesnT he live down where you abide?” 
inquired John, soberly. 

never saw him. But judging from the 
times his name appears out here, he seems to 
have been busy, almost as busy as he is in — ” 

^^DonT say it, Lee,” laughed John, and the 
party now moved onward. 

They climbed the pathway that led to the sum- 
mit of Minerva Terrace, which extended for nearly 
three-quarters of an acre before them. The white 
’ime of the formation was tinged in places by a 
dirty yellow, and in many places bubbling springs 
of water were to be seen in which the temperature 
was, the guide explained, never less than one 
hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit. He also 


246 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLO\;STONE 


explained that at times the water ceased to boil 
or even to appear, and declared that the reason 
for this was the rapid deposition of the carbonate 
of lime with which the water was so highly 
charged that there seemed to be more lime than 
water. A sixteenth of an inch was the measure 
of the deposit every four days. 

Then the guide led the way to Jupiter Terrace, 
the largest of all the formations at the Hot 
Springs, and then to a narrow pathway, where a 
climb of a hundred feet up a steep trail made 
every one breathless when the summit was gained. 
Pulpit and Cleopatra terraces were also visited, 
and the brilliant coloring of the formation brought 
forth many exclamations of delight. 

^^What^s that over there demanded Miss 
Margaret, pointing to several buildings that could 
be seen not far from the hotel. 

'^Fort Yellowstone,^^ replied the guide. ^^Two 
companies of United States cavalry are posted 
here.^^ 

^ ^ What f or ? ^ ^ demanded the girl . ^ H shouldn T 

think there would be any need of soldiers in such 
a wilderness as this.’^ 

^^Oh, theyTe to see that people who come to i Ik' 
Park donT steal or break anything. The: -, tci:. 


HOT SPRINGS 


247 


thr' have to look out for poachers and keep the 
= jaches and travellers all straight. They have to 
be on the lookout, too, and see that no one hurts 
any of the animals in the Park.’^ 

^^If a bear should bite me, couldnT I shoot it 
demanded Miss Margaret. 

^Terhaps so,^^ laughed the guide. ^^But that 
isnT just what I meant. No one is allowed to 
fire at or scare or hurt anything in the Park.^' 

^Tan we fish?^’ demanded Larcum. 

^^Yes.^^ 

^^Then we’ll try it!” said Larcum, eagerly. 

And those soldiers are here just to do all that ?” 
demanded Miss Margaret. 

'^Yes, ma’am.” 

^^How perfectly lovely. I do hope we’ll meet 
some of them.” 

^^You may,” said the guide, grimly. 

There are some now,” declared the girl, point- 
ing to a group near the barracks. ^Tome on!” 
she called, and despite the warning words of the 
guide, began to run swiftly down the steep trail. 

Brass buttons !” murmured Scott, in disgust, 
but in a moment his feeling was changed as he 
watched the girl. 


CHAPTER XXI 


ON THE COACH 

Before the girl had passed halfway down the 
steep descent the speed at which she was running 
increased, and it became evident that she had lost 
control of herself. Suddenly she waved her arms 
wildly and uttered a piercing scream as she fell 
and began to roll swiftly to the foot of the trail. 

^^Oh, that girl! That poor girl!^’ exclaimed 
Mrs. Lawrence; but Larcum and Lee, without 
waiting to listen to the lamentings, instantly 
darted after the girl and arrived at the base 
almost as soon as Miss Margaret had regained her 
standing. Plainly she had not been hurt by her 
undignified flight, and her plight would have been 
ludicrous had the circumstances been different. 
The powdered lime had almost covered her dress, 
hat, hands, and even her face and eyes were 
nearly concealed by the dust. 

248 


ON THE COACH 


249 


^^Are you hurt?’^ inquired Lee, anxiously, as he 
rushed to her assistance. 

^^No, I am not hurt !” retorted the girl, angrily 
and yet almost crying. have a great mind to 
go straight back and try it over again.’^ 

^^No, you are not going back,^^ said Larcum, 
quietly. 

^^Oh, I^m not!” retorted the girl, still more 
angrily. Who^s to hinder me, I^d like to know.” 

am,” said Larcum, calmly. It may have 
been there was something in the tones of his 
voice that challenged her, for instantly she started 
up the pathway, but she had taken only a few 
steps when Larcum overtook her, and quietly 
grasping her by the arm, led her back to the place 
of safety despite her protests. 

Meanwhile the others of the party had joined 
the trio, and the guide said sharply: ^‘1 told you 
not to do that! I told you you^d fall if you 
tried it.” 

Yes, you did, and now you^re saying it again,” 
said Miss Margaret, hotly. told you so! I 
told you so!” she added tauntingly. Thank 
, ; • ' .ess, I havenT said those words to anybody 
since I was old enough to know anything! It^s 
bad inough to trip and fall without having 


250 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


somebody come along and whine, told you so. 
I told you so!^^^ 

No one spoke for a time, as all the party turned 
toward the hotel. But Scott glanced at Lee and 
shrugged his shoulders. The actions of the girl, 
so marked in contrast with the more quiet and 
dignified demeanor of the other girls, had aroused 
a feeling of repulsion in his heart which he was 
not slow to express to the boys when they once 
more entered the hotel. The ladies at once with- 
drew to their room to attempt to make Miss 
Margaret slightly more presentable, while the 
boys remained with Mr. Lawrence in the lobby. 

Crowds were already striving to push their way 
into the dining room, for the presence of the 
excursion party had taxed to its utmost limit the 
capacity of the large hotel. 

^^Not a very brilliant prospect for dinner, 
suggested Scott, as he looked at the throng in 
front of the entrance to the dining room. 

Never mind a little thing like that after what 
weVe just seen,^^ replied John. 

^^You can fill up on scenery if you want to, but 
for my part I want something a little more sub- 
stantial,^^ retorted Scott. 

Never mind, old fellow,^’ said Lee, soothingly. 


ON THE COACH 


251 


man can’t travel without having to put up 
with some things. Come over here; I want to 
show you something.” And drawing his friend 
with him, Lee led the way to the office of the 
Pullman company, where above the cage, in large 
letters, the following motto was conspicuously 
hanging : — 

^^don’t worry! smile!” 

^^Seethat?” demanded Lee. 

Yes, sir, I see it,” replied Scott, with a laugh. 
^^It’s a good motto.” 

You’re right. Let’s take it with us along with 
some other things we’ll all need in the Park.” 

There was a long period of waiting, however, 
before Mrs. Lawrence and the girls returned, and 
it was manifest that Miss Margaret had required 
both time and attention before she was in a con- 
dition to rejoin her companions. 

^Tome on!” she called eagerly as she ap- 
proached. ^M’m hungry as a bear! Let’s go in 
and get something to eat!” 

‘ . t get in now. We’ll have to wait our 

tiu'fi,” r :plained Scott. 

^ ^ ' Car ' get in ’ ? ” she demanded. ^ ^ We can try 
it, can’^ vre?” 


252 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^Not now. We’ll have to wait;” said Mr. 
Lawrence, quietly. 

^^But I’m himgry,” protested the girl. 
want to go in!” a frown appearing on her face 
as she spoke. 

Don’t worry ! Smile 1 ” said Scott, solemnly, to 
Lee. 

Don’t worry! Smile!” said Lee, turning to 
John. 

Don’t worry ! Smile ! ” continued John, in turn 
to Larcum. 

'^I’d like to know what you mean by such talk,” 
demanded Miss Margaret of the boys. 

^Tome with me and I’ll show you,” said Lee, 
quickly. '^I’ve had to take Scott up to view 
the sight, and now I’ll be happy to take you, 
too.” 

Puzzled by his manner. Miss Margaret obediently 
followed Lee as he led the way and without a 
word pointed to the motto to which he had pre- 
viously called his friend’s attention. 

She made no response, however, and with a pout 
turned back to the place where her companions 
were waiting. Mr. Lawrence had withdrawn for 
a brief time, and at the moment of Miss Margaret’s 
return, came back, a smile on his face as he said 


ON THE COACH 


253 


quickly: ^‘Come on. IVe seen the head waiter. 
Many a time the trouble arises because the head 
waiter has not been properly ^feed.’’^ 

The boys laughed, and even Miss Margaret 
smiled, for the good humor of all had been re- 
stored by the prospect before them. While they 
were seated at their table, Mr. Lawrence explained 
that he had been fortunate in securing a coach 
which was to lead the procession that would set 
forth on the following morning to make the tour 
of the Park. As the coach was to leave promptly 
at seven o^clock, it would be necessary for every 
member of the party to be ready to enter the 
dining room at quarter-past six, and the promise 
to do so was readily given by all except Miss Mar- 
garet, who demurred, saying that she feared she 
could not rise at ^^such an unearthly hour.^^ The 
other girls laughingly declared that they would 
assist her, and they proved to be true to their 
word, for in the morning not one member of the 
party was late for breakfast. 

When they stepped out on the broad piazza, a 
crowd had already assembled there, but several 
minutes elapsed before the first coach appeared. 
Then the four horses came swiftly around the 
circle in front of the hotel, and the lumbering 


254 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


coach was halted before the piazza. A man with 
a megaphone called out the names of the parties 
that were to occupy it, and in a brief time the 
luggage had been stored and strapped on behind 
and every seat was occupied, Scott and Miss 
Margaret being assigned to seats with the driver 
for the first half of the day. The driver was a 
comparatively young man, quiet in his demeanor, 
but there was a twinkle in his eyes that was ex- 
ceedingly attractive to Scott, who was confident 
that there would be some interesting experiences 
with him before the journey was ended. 

^ ^ Now ^DonT worry ! Smile said Scott, as 
he assisted Miss Margaret to her seat. 

‘‘1 donT want a perpetual grin on my face,’^ 
she retorted; but as the driver drew in his reins 
at that moment and snapped his whip, there was 
too deep an interest in the departure for either to 
continue the conversation. 

For a few miles the ascent was steep and the 
progress slow, but the bracing air of the early 
morning, the magnificent vision of valley and 
mountain, the terraces beside which the road 
led for a time, the sight of the coaches being 
loaded far behind them, all combined to make 
every one enthusiastic. 


ON THE COACH 


255 


Driver, how many coaches are going out 
to-day?” inquired Miss Margaret. 

^^Forty-three.” 

^'Whew!” exclaimed Scott. ^^Small chances 
for dinner, I^m afraid. ^Don^t worry! Smile!’” 
he added, with a laugh, as he turned to his com- 
panions. 

^^I’m always cross if I don’t have my meals on 
time,” pouted Miss Margaret. Driver,” she 
added, ^^how many horses does the transportation 
company keep ?” 

About nine hundred and fifty,” replied the 
man; then partly rising in his seat he sent the 
long, stinging lash of his whip time and again 
upon the neck of one of the leaders. The horses 
broke into a mad run, but were soon quieted, and 
the girl demanded angrily: — 

^^What did you do that for?” 

^^Lash Pete? Oh, he hasn’t been used before 
this summer, and so hasn’t found out what he’s 
here for. He’s the most contrary animal. See 
him shake his head ! He’ll keep that up till we 
come to the canon.” 

^Ht’s a shame! It’s a shame!” said the girl. 
^^The idea of treating horses like that! As far 
as I can see, all the animals in the Park can’t be 


256 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

harmed except the horses. Nobody cares ho^ 
much they have to suffer.^' 

^^Hey, Pete!” called the driver sharply, ignor- 
ing the girhs protest. 

^'What are your horses’ names?” inquired Miss 
Margaret. 

^Tete, Repeat, Ramrod, and Razor.” 

Scott laughed, but his attention and Miss 
Margaret^s also were now taken up by the scenes 
through which they were passing. Squirrels were 
darting across the road, chipmunks and gophers 
were to be seen on every side, and the little crea- 
tures frequently stopped, and sitting erect on 
their haunches watched the travellers, apparently 
without the slightest fear. 

^^We^re a thousand feet higher th^ we were at 
the springs,” said the driver. “We climb that 
in the first three miles. Pretty soon well have it 
easier.” 

“Oh, we must stop here!” exclaimed the 
girl, as they entered what the driver explained 
was called the Silver Gate, a weird and narrow 
defile. 

“Can^t stop, miss,” said the man, curtly. 

“But I want to stop !” persisted Miss Margaret. 
“1^11 speak to Mr. Lawrence.” 


ON THE COACH 


257 


I stop, we lose our place in the line and have 
to take the dust of all the other coaches/' 

Miss Margaret abandoned her request, though a 
frown appeared on her face as Scott suggested 
that she should not worry, but smile. 

Her interest, however, was quickly diverted as 
the road led through the Hoodoos, a peculiar wild 
region in which myriads of strange and grotesque 
rocks appeared on every side for about a mile. In 
a brief time they arrived at the Golden Gate, a 
rugged pass with several hundred feet of precipice 
to be seen and the bed of the stream far below the 
coach. The driver purposely drove his horses so 
close to the guardian wall that the depths appeared 
to be almost directly below the travellers, and 
screams arcxie from within the coach. 

The driver, apparently accustomed to such 
demonstrations, laughed as he said, ^Hf you think 
that's bad, what'll you do when you come to the 
canon?" 

'Hs it worse than that?" called Miss Kate. 

About six or eight times as ' bad,' " laughed the 
driver. 

The awe-inspiring sight was soon left behind, 
and the coach sped on over a more level stretch 
of roadway, and the driver called his companions' 


258 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


attention to the snow-capped mountains and the 
lofty ranges, with their summits bare or snow- 
capped, which appeared to be near by although in 
reality they were many miles distant. 

^^The Rockies are certainly great, murmured 
Scott, deeply impressed by the majestic appear- 
ance of the mountains. 

^^Mt. Holmes is over ten thousand feet high,’’ 
explained the driver, ^^and Electric is more than 
eleven thousand.” 

Driver, that horse you beat so looks as if he 
would give out,” said Miss Margaret. 

shouldn’t be surprised if he did,” rephed 
the man. 

Mercy ! What will become of us if he does?” 
she demanded. 

^^Keep right on to the first stopping place and 
get a new one. It fs a bit hard on a fresh horse 
to send him out on a trip of a hundred and fifty 
miles ; still, it’s wonderful what they’ll do even 
after they’re dead.” 

Scott caught a solemn wink from the driver, 
but the girl failed to see it, and said quickly : 
^ ^ ^ After they’re dead ’ ? Why, what do you mes ' j 
T hey can’t do anything after they’re dead.” 

‘‘These horses can,” replied the driver, sobei . 


ON THE COACH 


259 


^^One o’ my trips last year proved that. I had 
a reputation for being on time, and I had to keep 
it. We were going over this very road on the 
way to Norris’s, and about five miles out I saw 
that one of my leaders was acting strange, so 
I put the teams into a run and kept it up all 
the way. Well, the minute I drove up to the 
piazza that leader dropped in his tracks, stone 
dead.” 

You’d driven him too hard,” said the girl. 
'^Sudden death like that showed it.” 

' ^ ^ Sudden ’ ? ^ Sudden death ’ ? ” demanded the 
driver, repeating his sly wink at Scott. ^‘Why, 
my dear woman, that horse had been dead for 
the last five miles, but he was under motion, you 
see, and couldn’t stop. The minute I stopped, 
though, he dropped in his tracks as if he had been 
shot.” 

don’t believe that story. It is not reason- 
able. How could a horse keep on going after he 
was dead? He couldn’t have been really dead,” 
said the girl. 

Scott, unable longer to restrain his delight, broke 
into a loud laugh, and said, Don’t worry ! Smile ! 
Did you get that horse to go on again, driver?” 
he inquired. 


260 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


'^Not that trip. May have to use him on this 
one, though.^^ 

The coach was passing now Obsidian Cliff, a 
towering volcanic mass of dark shining glass, and 
the interest was diverted to the marvellous sight. 
Then Beaver Lake came within their view, with 
the houses the energetic httle creatures had built 
standing in the midst of the expanse, though not 
a beaver could be seen. 

In a brief time Norrises Basin, where the party 
was to stop for luncheon, could be seen on the 
border of the wild and desolate site that appeared 
as the coach halted before the piazza of the 
hotel. 


CHAPTER XXII 


A HOT BATH 

In a moment the occupants of the coach were 
all standing on the piazza, and as the driver 
started his horses, he called back, ^^Wedl start at 
one-thirty sharp. 

'^Wedl all be ready,” replied Mr. Lawrence; 
then turning to his own party, he said: ^^We^d 
better go at once into the dining room and have 
our limcheon. There are so many people behind 
us that we may have trouble later.” 

^^But it^s only half-past eleven. I never have 
my luncheon so early as that,” protested Miss 
Margaret, promptly. 

^^Youdl have to to-day, I fear, if you get any 
at all,” said Mr. Lawrence, quietly. 

^^DonT worry! Sm — ” began Scott, with a 
laugh. 

Smile if you want to!” retorted the girl, 
sharply. 'Tor my part, I donT feel like it.” 

261 


262 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Mr. Lawrence^s advice, however, was quickly 
followed, but when the party was ready to enter 
the dining room they found the doors closed and 
the room in front filled by a waiting throng. 
Some of the other coaches had ^eantime arrived, 
and the members of the touring party, wearied 
by the long ride of the morning, as well as by the 
many preceding days of travel, were in no enviable 
mood. There was nothing to be done except to 
wait for their turn to come, and as fast as one table 
was cleared and people departed from the rear 
door, others were admitted, but only in sufficient 
numbers to fill a single table at a time. .The 
ladies in our party were the first to enter, but the 
boys and Mr. Lawrence came soon afterward, and 
after an excellent meal had been served them 
departed together. 

^^We have an hour and a half before we start 
again, said Mr. Lawrence, ^^but the guide will 
not go till more people are ready.” 

Never mind the guide; we can find our way 
ourselves,” suggested Larcum. 

^^Very well; wedl try it, but you must all 
promise to keep to the walks.” 

For a moment all the party remained on the 
piazza, gazing out upon the desolate and awe- 


A HOT BATH 


263 


: , 'iring scene before them. Scarcely a green or 
iiviiig thing was to be seen. The great basin, on 
the border of which the hotel stood, was low and 
level and covered with a crust of lime. Steam 
was rising from low geysers on every side. All 
the trees near the basin were dead, and not a leaf 
could be seen, while even the dead branches were 
encrusted with the fatal white deposit. It was 
the most desolate spot any of the party had ever 
seen and in a way the most impressive. 

A group on the piazza were by turn eagerly 
gazing through a glass at a spot far away to the 
right, and noticing the interest of Miss Jean, who 
was watching them, one lady said to her, ^^There^s 
a bear out there. Would you hke to see it?^^ 
The girl instantly expressed her eagerness, but 
was unable to discern the distant object which 
had aroused the excitement of the others. The 
glasses were then passed from one to another, 
some declaring that they could see bruin, — “a 
monster, — and others failing to see what had 
been pointed out to them. 

^^Let^s not stay here for this. Wedl see bears 
enough, suggested John; and in response all the 
nbers of the party began to walk in single 
['ih along the narrow boards which, placed length- 


264 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


wise, served as a pathway across the bleak and 
barren basin. 

Close to the path the crust appeared to be very 
thin, and it was plain that the danger signs had 
not been placed at intervals without cause. 
not afraid, exclaimed Miss Margaret, as she 
boldly stepped out upon the crust. 

^^Don^t do that again! Come back here and 
keep with us!’^ exclaimed Mr. Lawrence, sternly. 

The girl gazed at him defiantly for a moment, 
and then with a pout that did not depart for an 
hour resumed her place in the fine. 

The noise and rumbling of the geysers, the 
hiss of escaping steam, the odors that filled the 
air, all combined to make the resemblance of 
the region to some huge manufacturing plant 
not unreal — a resemblance that was suggested 
by John. 

When the party arrived on the farther border 
of the basin, geysers in action were all about 
them. Even the names were suggestive — The 
Minute Man, who, true to his name, played every 
minute. Constant, New Crater, Black Growler, 
The Monarch, Emerald Pool, and others were 
visited, the last of which, by the beautiful and 
startlingly vivid green of the surface of the boiling 


A HOT BATH 


265 


water in its crater, aroused the enthusiasm of the 
entire band. 

The pathway led up to the road which was to 
be followed when the coach resumed its journey, 
and at the suggestion of Lee, he and John declared 
that they would return to the hotel and secure 
the coach, and the rest of the party might remain 
by the roadside beneath the scant shade of some 
stunted evergreen trees that had somehow con- 
trived to maintain an existence there. Just as 
the boys started back on their errand. Miss Kate 
in a low voice exclaimed excitedly, ^^Oh, look 
there! Look there 

Up the road, frequently stopping to gaze curi- 
ously at the travellers, came a half-dozen or 
more deer, their graceful movements and quick 
actions instantly arousing the interest of the 
beholders. The naturally timid creatures, how- 
ever, seemed to have lost their fear, and soon 
moved on and disappeared from sight. 

^^What a shame we couldn’t bring a rifle,” said 
Larcum. 

'^You wouldn’t harm those beautiful creatures, 
would you?” demanded Miss Jean, her eyes 
fla. ing as she spoke. 

you needn’t ^ worry’ about Larc; you 


266 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


would just ' smile ^ if you should see him with a 
gun/^ said Scott. ^^Larc wouldn^t harm a thing. 

As the boys laughed, the girl said warmly, 
don^t see why it is that men always want to kill 
something. I think men are cruel to animals.” 

^^More than women are?” inquired Scott. 

^^Yes! Indeed they are! No woman would 
harm such beautiful creatures.” 

'^Let me see,” drawled Scott, ^Vhich part of 
creation is it that wears the bodies and wings 
of birds on their hats ? Which takes the skins of 
poor little animals, caught in traps and perhaps 
suffering for days before they are finally killed, 
and wear them on their backs? Did you ever 
hear of anybody doing that?” 

^^But women don^t kill the poor creatures,” 
declared Miss Jean. 

^^How many would the hunters and trappers 
kill if the women didn^t want such things?” 

^^Lots of them would.” 

^‘1 read a story the other day of a woman who 
stopped as she saw a small boy up in a tree trying 
to rob a bird^s nest. ^You wicked boy,’ she said. 
^ Don’t you steal those eggs ! Just think how the 
poor mother bird will feel to have her eggs all 
stolen.’ ^Oh, she won’t care,’ answered the bad 


A HOT BATH 


267 


: ' y. ^Yes, she will, you wicked boy/ said the 
vvoiiian. ^No, she won^t care/ persisted the 
youngster, ^she can^t.’ ^Of course she will care,^ 
said the woman ; Vhy can’t she care ? ’ ^’Cause 
she’s dead. She’s up there on that bonnet you’re 
wearing.’ The story didn’t tell what she said 
then,” added Scott, with a laugh. 

^^They are all too cruel,” said Miss Jean, soberly. 

^'Right you are. Here comes our coach.” 

In a brief time the travellers resumed their 
seats, this time Lee and Miss Kate occupying the 
seats beside the driver. 

Perhaps it was in part due to the weariness 
produced by the long journey, but the afternoon 
ride seemed somewhat less enjoyable than had the 
one in the morning. The day was warm, too, 
and the heat may have increased the feehng of 
weariness. At all events, conversation flagged, 
though the interest in the scenes through which 
the coach was passing was still manifest. 

The ride led through a long canon, so called, 
and the road frequently led beside a rushing 
stream which the driver explained to his seat- 
mates was named Firehole River, although in 
earlier days it had been called Nez Perces River 
after the famous Indians, but neither Lee nor 


268 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

Miss Kate seemed to be very much impressed by 
the fact. 

At last Lee said: Driver, where did all that 
crowd back at Norrises Basin come from ? There 
were more people there than left Hot Springs this 
morning. 

^Tame from Monida,’’ replied the driver. 

‘ ^ What ^s that ? Where is it ? ^ ’ 

That’s the way the people come into the Park 
who travel by the Oregon Short Line. It’s a good 
deal longer ride that way, but it’s not bad.” 

^^What a peculiar name — Monida,” said Miss 
Kate. 

^Ht’s made up of the first syllables of Montana 
and Idaho. Close to the border, you see, so they 
had to be fair to both,” explained the driver. 

We’ll be at the Fountain Hotel pretty quick,” 
he added. 

^^Any bears there?” inquired Miss Kate. 

^^Lots. But you want to be sure to try the 
baths at that hotel. The water comes from one 
of the hot sulphur springs, and is said to be good 
for ’most everything.” 

think we’ll be ready for that, and need it, 
too,” laughed Lee. ^‘1 never in all my hfe, suh, 
travelled through such dust as this.” 


A HOT BATH 


269 


^^You do look a bit that way/^ said the driver, 
smilingly. ^^Your lips make me think o^ Alkah 
Pete.^^ 

^^Who^s he?^^ inquired Miss Kate, innocently. 
Alkah Pete? Oh, he was a — 

The driver abruptly stopped and began to lash 
furiously one of the rear horses. The animal 
laid back his ears and kicked viciously, one of his 
feet being caught over the small dashboard and 
held there, while the frantic beast struggled on 
almost headlong. Miss Kate screamed, but the 
driver rose from his seat and lashed the strugghng 
animal until in its desperate efforts to free itself 
the horse at last managed to regain its normal 
position. 

^^All animals in the Park protected except the 
poor horses,^^ said Miss Kate, angrily. 

^^Better protect you than them,^’ responded 
the driver. ^^He deserved it and he got it.^' 
Where are we going demanded Lee, as the 
driver started his horses directly toward the 
river, leaving what appeared to be the main road. 

Fountain Hotel ; but first we’ll give the horses 
a chance to cool off.” 

The great Concord coach was dragged directly 
across the ford, the water coming well up on the 


270 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


wheels and the horses tugging sturdily to drag the 
load over the stony bottom. Screams arose from 
the ladies, but no one was harmed, and presently 
the longed-for hotel was gained, and the entire 
party clambered out upon the platform. 

As the ladies were not ready to try the hot 
sulphur baths which the driver had recommended, 
the boys, as soon as rooms had been secured (in 
which it was discovered there were no private 
baths), rushed for the public bathrooms, and 
were so fortunate as to be the first to secure them. 

The day, as has been said, was warm, but the 
bathrooms were even warmer. These rooms’' 
consisted of small compartments in which the 
partition did not rise much above one’s head, 
and as all the upper space was open, whatever was 
said in one room was easily heard in all the others. 
The water had already been turned on in their 
tubs, and everything was in readiness for the 
young travellers when they entered. Only a few 
moments had elapsed, however, before cries and 
shrieks arose on the heated air. 

‘^0-u-ch!” shouted John. ^‘1 say, Larc, this 
is a hot bath with a vengeance !” 

^^Tum on your cold water. Jack,” shouted 
Larcum, who had not yet tested the water. 


A HOT BATH 


271 


^^Tum on the cold water shrieked John. 
^^Why, man, the cold-water faucet is so hot I 
can’t touch it with my hand.” 

'^Hi-e-e-e-e !” came in a prolonged shriek 
from the apartment occupied by Scott. 
can’t touch the water! It blisters! It fairly 
boils !” 

What’s the matter with you fellows?” called 
Larcum. '^I’m in, and I don’t mind it a bit. It’s 
great !” 

^^Hear the salamander!” groaned John. ^^I 
don’t believe he’s within a yard of his tub !” 

The soimd of splashing water, however, proved 
Larcum’s words to be true, although the fact 
afforded slight comfort to the other boys. 

^^Try it with your hands and feet first,” called 
Larcum. 

^^What did you think we’d try it with?” 
called John. ^‘Manihus pedihusquef” 

^Toor boys,” laughed Larcum, creating a fresh 
splashing as he spoke. 

‘‘Pour hoire?” retorted John. ^^That’s right. 
Bring it on.” 

“Sauve qui pent!” shouted Scott, as groans 
and the sound of a plunge came from his room. 

Lee, too, soon followed his friends’ example, but 


272 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


the three boys had completed their baths and were 
ready to depart before John had ventured into 
his tub. His companions laughingly called to 
him as they departed that they would wait for him 
in the hotel office, but when a half-hour afterward 
John appeared, not one of his friends could he find. 

After he had satisfied himself that the boys 
were nowhere on the piazzas, John returned to the 
office, where a great crowd of anxious men was 
still assembled, and approaching the desk he in- 
quired of one of the clerks if any mail or telegrams 
were there for any members of his own party. 
While the clerk was making the search, John was 
startled by the sound of a familiar voice, and 
glancing to his left, beheld Mr. Smith, who was 
speaking. But it was not to John that the man^s 
words were directed, for he was very angry, and 
was talking excitedly to one of the hotel clerks. 
Eagej to withdraw, as soon as he was informed 
that no mail was awaiting him, John turned 
away, but he was too late, for Mr. Smith had 
already perceived him. 


CHAPTER XXIII 

STRANGE SIGHTS 

^^Oh, I say/’ began Mr. Smith, ^Vhat am I to 
do ? I joined my friends at Livingston, and we 
were a bit late getting into the Park. We couldn’t 
find any accommodations at the Springs, and here 
I’m told that the only beds we can get are cots 
in the parlors. And there are three ladies in our 
party besides myself and Mr. Harrison, my friend.” 

^^That’s too bad,” said John, sympathetically. 

These excursionists have taken everything.” 

^^Did you get rooms?” inquired Mr. Smith. 

^^Yes, sir. We were fortunate. We were in 
the first coach, you see.” 

Would you mind giving up your room to 
these ladies with me?” 

^^As far as I am concerned I am willing. But 
I must ask Lee, who is with me.” 

^Tlease do so at once,” urged the man, and 

273 


274 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


despite John’s annoyance his feeling of sy: apathy 
for the angry and unfortunate man was Ivcen. 

don’t know where he is, but I’ll try \o find 
him,” he said, and the young traveller ^>t once 
turned away in his search. 

The ladies of the party had now appeared, and 
John found them seated on the piazza, refreshed, 
and even Miss Margaret in high spirits, and he at 
once joined them. 

A half-hour had elapsed before the other boys 
and Mr. Lawrence appeared, and as they seated 
themselves beside their friends, Larcum said 
loftily, You don’t know what you missed. Jack.” 

^^Well, if I don’t know, then I don’t see how I 
can ^miss,’” laughed John. 

^^We went down there to see that great geyser,” 
and as he spoke Larcum pointed to a cloud of 
rising steam nearly a half-mile from the hotel. 
^'That’s the Fountain Geyser,” he explained, 
^^and it played for us while we were there. But 
we went on to see the Paint Pots, too.” 

regular mud cauldron,” suggested Mr. 
Lawrence. 

^^Yes, it certainly was the funniest sight I r 
saw,” said Lee. 

^ ^ ^ Funny ’ ! What was there funny ab(ju t i t ? ” 


STRANGE SIGHTS 


275 


demanded John, who was slightly irritated by the 
air of superiority his friends assumed. 

'^It was like a big boiling pot of paint, said 
Larcum, breaking in. ^^It’s a regular bed of 
mortar, and bubbles and boils with a ^flap, flap' 
that is almost ^ funny,' as Lee says, and all around 
the rim there are thirty or forty mud cones, some 
pink and some rose colored and some — oh, I 
don't know the names of the colors," he added, 
guess it was red I mean." 

^‘1 heard one of the women here talking about 
these springs just now," said Miss Margaret, ^^and 
what do you suppose she called them ? 
^Geesers' !" And the girl's peal of laughter was 
so contagious that all her friends joined in it. 

^^Lee," demanded John, suddenly, ^^want to 
give up your room to-night?" 

“I can't say that I do. Why?" responded 
Lee. 

^^Oh, I met our friend Mr. Smith here, and he's 
one of a party of five now." 

don't care how many are in his party,^s long 
as he's not in ours," said Scott. 

There are three ladies in his party, and the 
only place he can get for them to sleep in is one 
of the parlors, along with a good many other 


276 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


ladies. The other parlors are to be filled up with 
men,” explained John. 

^^Why, certainly/^ said Lee, promptly. ^^They 
can have our room.^' 

Perhaps John in his heart had been wishing 
that his friend would not be favorable to the 
request, for his face clouded at the words of Lee, 
but he uttered no protest, and later their room 
was placed at the disposal of the ladies in Mr. 
Smith's party. 

^‘1 say. Jack, did you try that sulphur bath?" 
inquired Larcum. 

did!" replied John, decidedly. ^‘1 was 
almost boiled, but I'm fit now." 

^ ^ ^ Fit, ' ' ' retorted Lee. ^ ^ Can't you use American 
words?" 

That's what he means he had, not what he 
was," declared Larcum. ^^That bath'll do you 
good. Jack. It is said it cures old age, mumps, 
and even a bad conscience." 

^Tures old age all right," said John, grimly. 
^^Old age never would trouble the man that tried 
that bath twice." 

“Are there any bears here?" demanded Miss 
Jean. 

“Yes," said her father, “plenty of them. We'll 


STRANGE SIGHTS 


277 


go out after supper to see them. And that 
makes me think — it must be time for supper 
now.’’ 

The party arose from their seats at once and 
quickly made their way to the dining room, 
before which a great throng had already assem- 
bled. The entire party was compelled to remain 
standing in line for more than a half-hour, and 
before their opportunity to enter came, John 
discovered Mr. Smith near him. ^^You can have 
our room for your ladies,” he said to the man. 

^^All right,” responded Mr. Smith, glibly, so 
glibly in fact that a feeling of resentment arose 
in John’s heart at the light manner in which his 
offer had been taken. 

Don’t you want to let these ladies in our party 
go into the dining room with yours?” John 
inquired. 

^M’d like to, but we must go in with them. 
You won’t have to wait long.” 

'^Thank you,” responded John, dryly. 

Apparently unaware of the young traveller’s 
irritation, Mr. Smith pushed and elbowed his way 
forward and disappeared within the doorway, but 
it was not long before our friends were also ad- 
mitted, and once seated at the table, all other 


278 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


feelings were for the time forgotten in satisfying 
the keen hunger that possessed them all. 

After supper our party went out behind the 
hotel barns, where at dusk the bears assembled 
to feed upon the refuse from the tables, which 
daily was there deposited for their use. But to 
the disappointment of all, the people were already 
returning, for the bears had gone back to the 
adjoining woods. 

don^t believe there are any bears here!'^ 
declared Miss Margaret, irritably. 

^^Oh, yes, there are. You^U see plenty of them 
soon,^’ said Mr. Lawrence, soothingly. 

Don’t worry ! Smile !” suggested Lee. 

Miss Margaret, however, scowled and apparently 
ignored his advice. 

John and Lee slept that night on cots in the 
parlor, and early on the following morning joined 
their friends at the entrance to the dining room. 
This time they were not compelled to wait so 
long as they had on the preceding evening, but 
the room was filled when they secured 
at the table in the extreme end of the room ^'o 
the surprise of the boys, they discovered tk i Mi . 
Smith and the man who was in his party wi^re 
also seated there and plainly not enjoyiu .1 the 


STRANGE SIGHTS 


279 


enforced delay in being served. Mr. Smith had 
given an order for nearly everything on the bill 
of fare, and as the tired waitress failed to supply 
him as promptly as he desired, his anger increased. 

^'V\\ report that girl to the head waiter!’^ he 
declared, and rising from his seat, he passed down 
the room to the place where the head waiter was 
standing, and angrily entered his complaints. 

Meanwhile, the boys, who had not ordered so 
many dishes as their angry companion at the 
table, had been served, and when Mr. Smith re- 
turned, his protests broke forth afresh as he 
perceived how well the others had fared. 

'^Did you rest well last night, Mr. Smith?’’ 
inquired Scott, quietly. 

^^Well enough. I was tired and hungry, so I 
didn’t have much trouble about sleeping.” 

That’s good,” said Scott, soberly. ^^How was 
it with you, Jack?” he added, turning to his 
friend. 

^^We did pretty well, considering the serenade 
that was going on. You see there were twenty- 
three more sleeping in the room with us, and some 
of them could strike high C every time they drew 
in a breath.” 

^^Mr. Smith lost all that probably. Up in your 


280 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


room, where he slept, he couldn’t hear the high or 
low notes either,” said Scott. 

^^Did you sleep in our room, Mr. Smith?” 
demanded John, sharply. 

Why, yes. You gave it up to us, didn’t you ? ” 

''No, sir. We gave it up to the ladies in your 
party.” 

"The clerk found a room for them after I saw 
you, so they were provided for, and my friend 
and I took the one you gave up.” 

For a moment John was too angry to speak, 
but as he glanced up he saw a twinkle in Lee’s 
eyes, and as his friend said softly, " Don’t worry ! 
Smile!” he too laughed and said no more. Mr. 
Smith was still seated at the table alternately eat- 
ing and protesting. When our party arose and 
departed from the diningroom, as they passed 
the head waiter, Larcum stopped a moment and 
said quietly to him: "That waitress we had was 
first class. Don’t let her suffer for anything that 
asinine ass said about her.” 

"Thank you,” replied the head waiter, with a 
laugh. "I’ll promise you she’ll not suffer.” 

The ride that day was to be a short one — only 
nine miles — to the Upper Basin, where the most 
famous geysers were located, and Old Faithful 


STRANGE SIGHTS 


281 


Inn was to be their stopping-place until the 
following day. The glorious weather still con- 
tinued, and as their coach departed from the hotel, 
the members of our party were all in high spirits. 
Lee and Miss Jean were now to occupy the seats 
beside the driver, and the girhs interest and eager- 
ness were both almost as inspiring as the simshine 
and the changing scenery. 

^^Are there as many other animals in the Park 
as there are bears, driver?’^ inquired Miss Jean, 
demurely. 

^^The animals in the Park are buffalo, moose, 
elk, bighorn, deer, antelope, bear, mountain lion, 
wolf, red, gray and black foxes, coyote, beaver, 
otter, mink, marten, sable, muskrat, ermine, 
rabbit, badger, porcupine, hare, squirrel, chip- 
munk, ground-hog, wolverine, and skunk.’' The 
driver rattled the words off in a singsong tone, 
as if he had committed the hst to memory, but 
the droll expression in his eyes caused his compan- 
ions to laugh. 

Mercy!” exclaimed the girl. ^^All those? 
We shan’t see them all at the same time, shall 
we?” 

'^Can’t say. Don’t know as to that.” 

‘^We haven’t seen a bear yet, and if the other 


282 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


animals aren^t any more plentiful than the bears, 
we shan^t be devoured, Miss Jean declared. 

^ ^ How high are we now? inquired Lee. 

About seventy-three hundred feet,” replied 
the driver. 

Think of it! Half as high again as Mt. 
Washington, and here we are riding along on 
level ground.” 

The driver abruptly called their attention to 
Turquoise Spring, its blue waters well deserving 
of the name bestowed upon it. When Excelsior 

— the geyser we passed back here — plays, the 
water here — it’s a hundred feet across Turquoise 

— drops about ten feet,” he explained. 
''Connected, are they?” inquired Lee. 

"I didn’t say so, but that’s the way it seems. 
Prismatic Lake ahead of us is four hundred feet 
across. Want to see Hell’s Half Acre too ?” 

"Want to see everything.” laughed Miss Jean, 
enthusiastically. "That’s what we came for.” 

"You’ll see it before you get back to Gardner,” 
remarked the driver, dryly. "See those dead trees 

— petrified — over there?” he added, pointing 
with his whip toward a distant and desolate spot 
as he spoke. "Great story ’bout them,” he said 
and then became silent. 


STRANGE SIGHTS 


283 


^^What is the story, driver?” inquired Miss 
Jean. 

knew you^d ask it. The women always do,” 
and the driver winked slowly at Lee as he spoke. 
'^The story is like this. Over there, so it is said, 
there^s a big stretch of sage brush all petrified, 
and every leaf and branch just as perfect as if 
Twas just green. In fact they say the brush 
looks exactly like any other sage, but it^s every 
bit stone. The rabbits and squirrels and sage- 
hens and gophers are all petrified too, though you 
might not think so just to look at them. But 
what beats all is that that petrified brush keeps 
on bearing its own fruit, only that too is stone of 
course. Diamonds and emeralds and rubies there 
as big as a walnut.” 

^'Oh, let us go over there! Do let us stop!” 
exclaimed Miss Jean. 

^TanT stop nohow. You’re just like every 
other woman I’ve told that story to — you all 
want to stop and pick some of that fruit.” 

^^Of course we do.” 

Driver, did Munchausen live out here in this 
Park?” inquired Lee, soberly. 

^^I never heard tell of any settler by that 
lame. If he was here, it must have been when 


284 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


the Blackfeet Indians were here, and that was 
years ago” 

^^Were they in the Park?’’ 

^^They certainly were. There was a man 
named Colter who came out on the Lewis and 
Clark expedition, but on the way back he stopped 
here, and he and the man with him were captured 
by the Blackfeet. The Indians killed the other 
man, but Colter got away, though he didn’t have 
a stitch of clothes on his back.” 

^^I don’t see where he could have ^got to,’” 
suggested Lee. 

'^Oh, he worked his way on from tribe to tribe 
and finally got away.” 

'^Why didn’t those other tribes treat him hke 
the Blackfeet had?” persisted Lee. 

But Pete and Repeat here demanded the 
driver’s attention, and the question remained 
unanswered. 

^^What are these camps along the road here?” 
demanded Miss Jean, when order had been re- 
stored. 

^^They are just camps, that’s all. There are 
regular places in the Park where anybody that 
wants to camp out can go. The people drive in 
here from miles — hundreds of miles sometimes — 


STRANGE SIGHTS 


285 


' ' harvesting is done and stay for weeks. 

party now’/^ As he spoke, the driver 
puiixtca lo a canvas-covered wagon drawn by 
two tired horses. Within the covering the faces 
of children and a woman could be seen staring 
out at the strangers. 

The interest of the young travellers was speedily 
diverted into another quarter, and the campers 
and their quaint outfit were at once forgotten in 
the sight which now appeared before them. 


CHAPTER XXIV 

OLD FAITHFUL 

'^That’s what they call the Old Faithful Inn/’ 
explained the driver. 

In the distance a mammoth hotel, built entirely 
of logs and presenting a most unique and artistic 
appearance, could be seen, and in the region 
immediately in front of it almost innumerable 
geysers appeared. The clouds of steam that could 
be seen rising from the ground and the barren- 
ness of the region were alike impressive, and the 
interest of the young travellers was instantly 
aroused. The region was no more desolate than 
Norris’s Basin, but it was on a much larger scale, 
and it was evident that the tour through the Park 
had been arranged with a view to a daily and 
steadily increasing impressiveness and interest. 

It was not long before the coach halted before 
the hotel and the eager load was discharged. 

286 


OLD FAITHFUL 


287 


Just as the party was about to turn into the 
office, some one called, There goes the giant 

A bubbling, boiling, roaring torrent of water 
and steam was to be seen rising from a geyser 
not far away. Higher and higher it rose, and the 
exclamations of the enthusiastic beholders be- 
came more and more marked. It almost seemed 
as if there was no hmit to the heights to which 
the boiling torrent would go, but when the spout- 
ing cloud had risen to an altitude of two himdred 
and fifty feet, the limit appeared to have been 
gained. 

The Giant continued to play for an hour or 
more before the seething mass slowly receded and 
died away, but long before that time had expired 
Mr. Lawrence hastened to the desk to secure 
rooms, leaving his companions on the broad 
piazza to enjoy the marvellous sight. 

'^WeTe lucky,^' said Larcum, enthusiastically. 
^^The Giant doesnT play except once in three or 
four days, and we might easily have lost the 
sight.’^ 

^^But we havenT lost it, so donT 'worry,’ 
Larc,” laughed John. "What a place this would 
have been for Dante,” he added. "His Inferno 
would have stood right out before his eyes.” 


288 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


stands out befoi^e our eyes, and that^s 
better stilV^ laughed Miss Kate. 

There goes Old Faithful !’' called some one, 
and the assembled crowd at once hastened to 
the geyser that was much nearer the hotel. 

donT see that the geeser is goinV^ said one 
of the women in the large party of tourists. 

Scott laughed as the words were overheard, but 
the eagerness of his own party to secure some of 
the seats near the geyser prevented him from 
making any remarks to his friends. 

Fortunately the seats were secured for the 
ladies, while the boys with their kodaks took 
positions slightly farther away. There was a 
sound of hissing steam and of boiling masses of 
water to be heard, but as yet the spouting column 
had not appeared. Suddenly a mass of boiling 
water was seen above the rim of the crater, but 
the heaving mass quickly subsided. Again the 
seething, roaring mass appeared and then once 
more dropped back. In a moment, however, the 
scalding waters again appeared, and this time 
they were pushed steadily upward in a rising, 
falling, roaring mass, up and still upward, while 
exclamations of wonder could be heard from all 
the spectators. The maj estic column still continued 


OLD FAITHFUL 


289 


to rise until a graceful and most beautifully 
shining pillar of boiling water, and cloud of silver- 
hued steam, rising to a height of a hundred feet, 
stood out before the young travellers, the bright 
sunlight shining through the mist and adding 
much to its beauty and impressiveness. 

After four minutes had elapsed the waters sub- 
sided slowly and gracefully, and only the boiling 
contents of the crater remained, although shining 
streams of hot water still were nmning down the 
formation. 

^ ^ Wasn^t that beautiful ? Wasn^t that grand ? 
demanded Miss Margaret, as our party turned back 
to the hotel. 

^Toor father missed it said Miss Kate. 

^^That is too bad,’' rephed Larcum, quickly. 
^^Some of us ought to have arranged for the 
rooms and not left it all to him. That’s the way 
it is — somebody is always giving up his own 
pleasure so that others may have a good time.” 

^^Right you are, Larc,” said Scott, quickly; 
^^but Mr. Lawrence will have a chance to see it, 
for Old Faithful plays regularly every sixty or 
sixty-five minutes. Perhaps that’s the way it 
got its name.” 

The party was on the piazza again by this 


290 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


time, and there Mr. Lawrence met them, his face 
beaming as he said: have rooms for every one 

— rooms with a bath, too. They are all on the 
first fioor, and I want you to come right in and 
see them. They certainly are unique. 

When the party entered the inn, their interest 
was almost as keen as Mr. Lawrence^s. The 
interior of the beautiful structure was as quaint 
as its exterior, for it had been finished in logs, and 
even the bedrooms were also found to be finished 
in the same manner. 

Luncheon was soon served, and the dining room 
was discovered to be in keeping with the other 
parts of the hotel, and the food served aroused 
not a word of complaint from the hungry assembly 
that entered. The boys obtained a glimpse of 
their former guest,’’ Mr. Smith, across the room, 
but as he appeared to be busied with the con- 
versation of his own party, they were relieved 
of all fears of his joining them. 

We’ll go around this afternoon with a guide,” 
said Mr. Lawrence ; and in the course of an hour 
the guide appeared, and thirty or more prepared 
to follow him, most of whom were members of the 
excursion party. Some of the members of this 
party were dressed in a peculiar manner, some 


OLD FAITHFUL 


291 


were old, and others were plainly without much 
experience in travelling, and yet their enthusiasm 
was as marked as that of the younger people. 

fancy we shall be compelled to move at a 
gentle, antique gait, said John to Miss Kate, 
who was walking by his side. There are old 
people here, I see.’^ 

^'From the looks of things I donT believe any 
one will want to run,” laughed the girl. ^^For 
my part I shall be glad if we donT any of us 
step into some boiling spring and get hurt. There 
are plenty of chances for that.” As she spoke 
Miss Kate glanced anxiously at Miss Margaret, 
who was in advance, talking eagerly to Lee, 
though whether to that young traveller's delight 
or not was not manifest. 

^^WeT have to do our best,” said John. ^^Just 
hear the guide, will you!” he added. ^'He has 
a voice hke a medicated fog-horn, and jokes that 
came over in the Mayflower 

'^What is a ^medicated fog-horn,’ Mr. Field?” 
inquired Miss Kate, innocently. 

don’t know,” laughed John. ^^Listen! 
What is it the man is saying?” 

The guide, in front of and facing the little 
assembly, which had halted near one of the 


292 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


geysers, in his most strident tones was saying: 

There was a Chinaman a few years ago who 
used this spring for his laundry work. No fau- 
cets, no fires, no tubs required, you see. When 
the geyser wouldnT play with the innocent little 
Chinaman, he used to throw in a piece of soap 
and that would start the works going in short 
order. Moral: donT throw away your soap; 
that is, if you happen to have any, for there^s a 
fine of two thousand dollars for any one that tries 
that trick now. You can’t explain the absence 
of soap that way.” 

^^Ah, yes. Quite facetious! Very witty. 
Very humorous indeed!” murmured John, and 
the girl by his side laughed in such a manner 
that the guide glared at her. 

^^This is the Devil’s Left Ear,” explained the^ 
guide, as the party resumed its advance and then 
halted once more at his suggestion. 

' ^ The devil’s left here ? ” inquired John. ^ ^ Glad 
to hear it. I’m afraid he hasn’t left every place 
in the country, yet.” 

‘^You’re a smart one, young man,” retorted 
the guide. ^‘You’re so smart you must be a 
Yankee.” 

The dehght of Lee and Scott was great, and 


OLD FAITHFUL 


293 


they slapped John again and again upon his back, 
although the young gentleman in question be- 
trayed no interest. 

'^Here we have the Lion. Yonder is the 
Lioness. There is their cub,’^ called the guide, 
when the party halted once more before some 
springs. 

Where is the Lion?” demanded John of the 
guide. 

^'Right before you. CanT you see his shape?” 

'^No. Point it out to me, please.” 

Why, here ! DonT you see the mane ? There^s 
the body, and here’s the tail,” explained the guide, 
pointing, as he spoke, at the imaginary resem- 
blances in the outlines. 

Where’s his roar?” asked John, soberly. 

'^You don’t see a roar. You have to hear that,” 
retorted the guide. 

^^Do you mean that?” 

''Of course I do. Any one knows that.” The 
guide was angry, but John apparently was indiffer- 
ent to the feeling he had aroused, or unaware of it. 

"Did you ever read iEsop?” he inquired 
innocently. 

"Never heard o’ him. He don’t belong in these 
parts.” 


294 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^So? Munchausen lives here, I think you told 
my friend/^ 

^^No such man in the Park. Move on ! Keep 
the old ark moving, the guide added, addressing 
the company. 

^Tause an instant! Delay your contemplated 
premature departure until my psychological di- 
gestive apparatus has correlated the phenomena 
you have so translucently transferred from your 
inner consciousness to our benighted intellectual 
comprehension,’^ pleaded John, soberly. 

The guide stared at John for a moment as if he 
was in speechless amazement. 

^^Say that again,” he demanded. 

repetition of phenomenally importunate 
pleadings is precluded,” said John, seriously. 

For a moment the guide gazed stupidly at the 
young traveller, and then an expression of disgust 
swept over his face. ^^Oh, you make me sick,” 
he said curtly. ^^You sound like a man I had 
out yesterday — he was from Boston or some 
place East.” Angered by the shout that instantly 
rose from the lips of Larcum and Scott, the guide 
gazed at them in a puzzled manner, and then 
turning to John once more, he said: ^^You do — 
you make me ’most as sick as he did. He made 


OLD FAITHFUL 


295 


me sick all night. I didn^t know^s I could come 
out t^day. I was so sick I could neither lay nor 
set.” 

A renewed shout of laughter arose, and the face 
of the guide flushed with anger as he perceived 
a smile on the face of all who had heard his 
pathetic declaration, and without a word he led 
the way to other springs. But the jokes” no 
longer were given by him, and even his strident 
voice seemed to have lost something of its power. 

shall be silent now and just ^view the land- 
scape o’er,^ as the poet saith,” John remarked 
solemnly to his companion. ^^But I shall not 
have Hved in vain if my modest, humble, un- 
pretentious, infantile efforts to eliminate the 
jocular from the remarks of that untutored 
savage shall have availed anything.” 

The Sawmill, Grotto, Fan, Splendid, Comet, 
Cliff, Jewel, and other geysers were inspected, 
whose names were indicative of the fancied 
resemblances in their formation. Innumerable 
springs were seen, some of them having waters of 
the most brilliant and beautiful hues, and the 
entire tour was one of great interest, nor did 
John mar the enjoyment by any more of what 
Lee termed his ^^down east” expressions. 


296 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


‘‘Vm tired suddenly exclaimed Miss Margaret, 
as they arrived at the limit of the walk. don’t 
want to see any more ^geesers’ as long as I live ! 
I’m going back to the hotel!” Despite the ap- 
peals of her friends and the warning words of the 
guide, the headstrong girl started alone across the 
crust of the formation, thin and treacherous in 
many places outside the regular pathway. Anx- 
iously her friends watched her, but at last she 
gained the board walk, and then, relieved by her 
success, they resumed following their now morose 
guide from one point of interest to another. When 
at last they returned to the hotel, they were all 
somewhat wearied, though Larcum declared it 
was not the difficulty or the length of the walk, 
but only the high altitude, that had affected him. 

After dinner it was decided to go out and view 
the bears that were said to gather in numbers in 
the open lot in the rear of the barns where the 
refuse from the tables of the hotel was dumped. 
A large crowd had assembled, evidently for the 
same purpose, but when a half-hour had passed 
and not a bear had been seen, our party, some- 
what disappointed, returned to the hotel. 

The moon had appeared by this time, and as 
Old Faithful was due to spout again within a few 


OLD FAITHFUL 


297 


uiinutes, they all at John’s suggestion went to 
what he termed the reserved seats” to witness 
the sight in the moonlight. The shadows of the 
great mountains, the dim outlines of the many 
geysers that were either steadily or at the time 
sending forth their pillars of vapor, the cool air, 
and the twinkling lights of the huge hotel, all 
combined to lend an air of added interest, and 
when at last the majestic column rose from the 
crater of Old Faithful, the sight was one never to 
be forgotten. 

When the waters fell, the party once more 
sought seats on the piazza of the hotel. Near 
them a huge German, whom they had before 
noticed as a member of the excursion party, 
puffing as from some violent exertion, dropped 
heavily into one of the chairs. In a moment the 
women folk” who evidently were of the man’s 
immediate party followed, and one of them said 
pleasantly to him, ^^Vell, dit you see some bears?” 

'^Nein !” snapped the man, disgustedly. 

^^Dot vas too bad. Berhaps some oder times 
you shall find ’em.” 

^^Did you hear that? Did you hear what that 
man said?” demanded Miss Margaret, excitedly, 
whispering to John. 


298 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^'Yes, I heard him,” he replied. ^^Why?^’ 
“Why, he said he saw nine bears! And we 
lost them, every one ! I don^t beheve I shall 
ever see any ! I don^t believe there are any here ! ” 
Restraining his impulse to laugh, John in- 
quired pleasantly, “Do you speak German, Miss 
Margaret?’’ 

“No, I don’t,” the girl answered sharply. 
“But what has that to do with seeing the bears? 
I declare, I’ll go out there now with any one who 
is not afraid!” 

John did not explain whether or not he was 
fearful of meeting “nein” bears, but he did not 
volunteer to accompany her, and in a brief time 
the entire party retired to their rooms. 


CHAPTER XXV 


AT THE THUMB 

'^Jack, I have composed the shortest poem in 
the English language/’ said Lee, when the boys 
had retired. 

You have?” laughed John. didn’t know 
you ever dropped into poetry.” 

^^Oh, it’s as easy as stepping into a ^geeser.’ 
No one could help it here.” 

What’s your poem?” demanded John, 
think I’d better wait till morning. It might 
keep you awake.” 

'H’ll risk that. Go ahead with your poem! 
What metre is it written in?” 

haven’t named it yet. It scans, though, 
rhymes perfectly, and the sentiment is most touch- 
ing. As I told you, it’s the shortest poem in the 
language.” 

^'But you haven’t told me,” said John, with a 
laugh. ^^WTiat is it?” 


299 


300 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


I tell you, you won’t be able to get it out of 
your head. It’s Miss Margaret who inspired it — 
she and the bears. Well, I suppose I shan’t have 
any peace until I recite it, so here goes : — 

^^^Bruin — 

Nothin' doin'. ' " 

^^That is a superb piece of work,” shouted John, 
with delight. Sounds like Shakespeare.” 

^^No, it isn’t Shakespeare’s; it’s mine. You’ve 
heard of the Lake Poets, haven’t you ? Well, this 
poem belongs to the ^geeser’ school. I think I’ll 
have it copyrighted.” 

^Mt’s worth a trip to the Yellowstone,” assented 
John, have such poetry as that written. 
Pretty soon Larc will catch the fever too, and 
then we’ll have something worth while.” 

The boys were too weary, however, long to 
discuss even such a literary production as that 
of Lee, and soon were soundly sleeping. In the 
morning, when they arose, John peered out of the 
lattice window and eagerly called to his friend to 
come and behold the sight. The air was cool, 
almost ^'cool enough for a frost” John declared, 
and the steam rising from the myriad springs and 
geyers presented a unique and beautiful scene. 


AT THE THUMB 


301 


^ Makes me think of the village up in New 
Hampshire where my grandfather lives/^ said 
John. ^Hn the winter — we always go up to 
his house for Christmas, you know — I Ve looked 
out of my window in the morning, and the smoke 
coming out of the chimneys of all the houses looks 
a good deal like this.^^ 

^Hdl take your word for it. Jack. I don’t 
want your cold weather.” 

Better for you if you did.” 

Soon after breakfast the procession of coaches 
was once more formed and, with the one which 
carried our friends still in the first place, set forth 
on the ride to the Lake hotel. The road now led 
thi'ough the midst of stately and beautiful trees, 
and our party, refreshed by the rest the night 
had afforded, were all in high spirits. 

^^Jack, there’s one geyser I saw back there 
that ought to have been named New England,” 
said Lee. 

What’s its name now?” inquired John, 
aware from the expression in his friend’s eyes that 
he was about to ^^say something.” 

Economic Geyser,” laughed Lee. ^^They call 
it that because there isn’t any overflow or waste 
of water ^here.” 


302 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


'^Good for you, Lee,’^ roared Larcum, as they all 
laughed. 

^^That^s all right, Lee,^^ said John, good- 
naturedly. There’s another one there that 
ought to be renamed too. I think it ought to 
be called the Southern Cavalier, or Southern 
Chivalry, or Southern Honor, or some one of the 
numerous expressions you are so fond of using 
in describing the people in your part of the 
world.” 

Which one was it? What’s its name now?” 
inquired Lee, lightly. 

^^The Black Growler,” said John, demurely, as 
his companions laughed. ^ ^There’s another one, 
though, that might be better still. It’s the Saw- 
mill — so called because it has a good deal more 
hot air than it has hot water. It sounds well, but 
it doesn’t haw much wood.’” 

Lee’s face flushed for a moment as a shout 
arose from his friends, but Miss Kate tactfully 
changed the topic of conversation by calling 
attention to some of the sights they were passing, 
and the interest of all was speedily diverted. Miss 
Margaret declaring that she was ^ Hired to death 
of ^geesers’ and never wanted to see or hear any- 
thing more of them.” 


AT THE THUMB 


303 ^ 

^^Here^s Shoshone Point/ ^ called the driver, 
abruptly, as he stopped the coach. 

The girls gave an exclamation of delight as the 
marvellous sight spread out before them. Far be- 
low, the waters of Shoshone Lake glimmered in 
the sunlight, and the heavily timbered slopes of 
the surrounding shores provided a setting for the 
vision scarcely less beautiful than the glistening 
waters. In the clear air, fifty miles away, the 
snow-capped Sentinels of the Teton Mountains, 
rising fourteen thousand feet toward the sky and 
overtopping all the other peaks of the Rockies, 
could be distinctly seen. 

They he a part of the boundary between 
Wyoming and Idaho, explained the driver. 
never get tired of looking at them.’^ 

Deeply impressed by the sublime sight, the boys 
were eager to remain longer on the Point, but the 
appearance of coaches at once warned them that 
they must move on or lose their place in the pro- 
cession, and so the journey was speedily renewed. 

^Mt^s a hard ride all the way from here to the 
Lake hoteV^ remarked the driver to Scott and 
Larcum, who now were seated beside him. 

'Ms it?” inquired Larcum, innocently. "I 
donT think this is so bad.” 


304 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


it isn’t so hard from here to The Thumb” 
(the name of the lunching station where they 
were due about noon), ^^but from there on it’s 
pretty much sand and hills.” 

That’s too bad,” suggested Scott. 

^^Yes, sir. Most people prefer to cross the lake 
from The Thumb to the hotel in the steamboat. 
It’s a fine ride, and the lake is the highest one in 
the world that has a steamer on it. The boat 
stops, too, so that you can see the buffaloes on the 
island. I can get tickets for you if you want 
them,” said the driver, quickly. 

^^That might be interesting,” acknowledged 
Larcum, turning and winking meaningly at Scott 
as he spoke. 

^^Yes, sir, it is interesting,” continued the 
driver, still more eagerly. Though perhaps I’m 
not the best judge, for it’s the biggest sheet of 
water I ever saw, and it’s the only steamboat I 
ever saw, too.” 

^Ms that so!” exclaimed Larcum. ^^You do 
live a good way off, don’t you?” 

^^Why, no, I don’t,” said the driver, soberly, 
live right over here at Butte.” 

Larcum repressed the smile that rose to his lip 
as he said, suppose there is something for le 


AT THE THUMB 


305 


driver if he gets his load to buy tickets on the 
steamer; isn^t that so?^^ 

The face of the driver flushed as he replied, 
^^Oh, I^m not urging you, except that the ride 
on the boat will be easier for the ladies than to 
crawl through the sand/^ 

think wefll have to take that in,’’ laughed 
Larcum, and the expression of satisfaction on 
the face of the driver increased his own feeling 
of delight, as the young traveller kicked his com- 
panion’s foot in a manner that was not misunder- 
stood. 

It was not long before The Thumb, the most 
unique in its appearance of all the lunching 
stations in the Park could be seen. A quaint 
little building it was, nestling on the shore of the 
beautiful Yellowstone Lake. Towering moun- 
tains were to be seen in the distance, and the little 
steamer, which they afterward learned had been 
hauled in sections by long trains of mules from 
the distant railway station and put together after 
all the parts had been brought to the lake, was 
lying at the dock. 

As soon as the party stepped out upon the 
platform Larcum ran to the steamboat to secure 
tickets for the ride across the lake, while Mr. 


306 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Lawrence entered the building to make arrange- 
ments for luncheon. 

^^IVe got them/^ called Larcum, delightedly, as 
he rejoined his friends. was lucky, too, for 
they were the last ones the captain had. They’re 
limited to a hundred passengers, you see.” 

^^Fine, Larc!” exclaimed Scott. You’re the 
man to Hackle’ the captain for us.” 

Mr. Lawrence now appeared, and said: ^^Come 
right in ! We can get into the dining room, and 
we must not miss the chance.” 

No second invitation was required, and the 
hungry travellers at once entered the room, hastily 
taking such seats at the table as they were able to 
secure. 

^^Best luncheon we’ve had since we left the 
car,” remarked Scott, who certainly was doing 
ample justice to the viands spread out upon the 
table and to which the boys helped themselves 
without the ceremony of summoning any of the 
girls or the two or three young men who were 
serving as waiters. 

say,” called John to one of the young male 
waiters, ^^have you calves’ brains?” 

The waiter stared at the young traveller half 
angrily for a moment, and then said tartly: ^^Oh, 


AT THE THUMB 


307 


what you trying to give us? There was a dude 
here yesterday what wanted to know if I had 
frogs^ legs/^ 

That was very impolite of him/’ replied John, 
soberly, as his friends broke into a shout of laughter, 
^^That was impolite of you, too,” he added re- 
proachfully, as he turned and looked at the boys 
beside him. 

That’s an old one, John,” said Scott, as he 
reached for more beans. 

The waiter, with a look of scorn upon his face, 
had at once left them, going to another part of 
the room, where less impertinent questions were 
likely to be asked, and it was not long before 
the boys arose and went out upon the piazza, 
where they were soon joined by their friends. 

Anything to see here?” inquired Larcum, 
glibly. 

few geysers and ^paint pots,’” replied Mr. 
Lawrence, ^^but they are not much like those we 
saw at Old Faithful.” 

^^We’ll go out and see, anyway,” responded 
John, but no one accompanied the boys as they 
departed from the piazza. 

Interesting as the sights otherwise would have 
been, Mr. Lawrence had been correct in his state- 


308 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


ment, and the boys soon returned to a spot near 
the dock. Here they discovered a man fishing 
from the shore, and interested at once, the young 
travellers stopped to inquire what success had 
been obtained. 

‘^1 haven’t caught anything yet,” replied the 
stranger. “1 was just going to test what I had 
heard, that a man could stand here on the shore 
and catch a fish in the lake and then without 
taking the trout off the hook he could fling his 
line right back into that spring behind you and 
cook his fish without stirring once out of his 
tracks to do it, either.” 

Great!” exclaimed Larcum. might be 

done if you get a fish,” he added as he turned for 
a moment to gaze into the depths of the boiling 
spring behind him. wish I had a rod and I’d 
join you.” 

You’ll get plenty of chances to fish over at 
the Lake hotel,” explained the man. ^^You can 
get a guide and boat and all the tackle you want, 
and they don’t charge you a cent if you don’t 
get any fish. They say that every man that has 
ever gone out there had to pay up, though, for 
no one ever fails to bring in a good catch.” 

We’ll try that, fellows!” exclaimed Larcum, 


AT THE THUMB 


309 


enthusiastically, a suggestion to which his friends 
agreed with equal enthusiasm. For a time all 
four remained watching the fisherman, but as his 
efforts were not crowned with success, they soon 
returned to the piazza, where they explained to 
their friends that what the fisherman had planned 
to do was in no way improbable. 

think we’d better go down to the dock and 
get some seats on the boat while we can,” sug- 
gested Mr. Lawrence, and the party at once acted 
upon the suggestion, securing chairs well forward 
on the deck where they would be able to see all 
that would be of interest. A half-hour passed, 
however, before the steamer was free from the 
dock, and meanwhile so many of the excursionists 
came on board that some of the more timid 
ones began to glance anxiously about them, evi- 
dently fearful that the boat was not to limit its 
capacity on this trip to the number declared in 
its charter. 

That’s nineteen times I’ve heard the captain 
sell Hhe last two tickets he had,’” observed Scott, 
who had been watching that worthy official as he 
disposed of his wares on the dock below them. 
^'Is that some of your Western ^hustle’?” he 
inquired. 


310 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^No, sir. That^s some of your Eastern effete 
simplicity/^ laughed Larcum. 

^^That isn’t the best name for it/’ remarked 
John. ^^It takes only three letters to spell it.” 

^^Here we go! We’re off!” shouted Miss 
Margaret, as the little steamer began its noisy 
voyage across the beautiful waters. The burly, 
good-natured captain as he moved about among 
the passengers quieted the fears of the more timid 
ones and frequently stopped and in loud tones 
called the attention of the people to objects of 
special interest. 

^^Next to Oklahoma this is the garden spot of 
the world,” responded one of the passengers. 

^^You come from there?” demanded the 
captain. 

^^Yes, sir, I do. Proud of it, too. Ever been 
there?” 

Lived there once,” roared the captain. ^M’ve 
lived most everywhere. I was born a down- 
easter — born in Massachusetts, but I couldn’t get 
out of it soon enough. I want the hills and the 
plains — ” 

A shout from the boys, who all turned upon 
John, interrupted the captain’s eloquence, how- 
ever; but John, the expression upon his face not 


AT THE THUMB 


311 


changing, inquired of the captain, ^^Then they 
were after you as sharply as that, were they?^^ 

^^Yes, sirV^ roared the man. ^^Too many 
people there. Too thick for me. I want room, 
— like this,^^ — and as he spoke he flung his arms 
about him, pointing to the majestic mountains 
beyoi^ the shore. ^^We lack some things, of 
course, out here. Codfish, for example.^^ 

^^They donT have codfish in Massachusetts,’^ 
interrupted Scott. ^^They may have some of 
course,” he hastily admitted, ^^but what they call 
^codfish’ is what they sell outsiders — it’s really 
haddock.” 

^ ^ Little like our steak out here. Perhaps you’ve 
noticed it’s a bit tough?” inquired the captain. 

'Tough’? That’s a mild word,” said John, 
warmly. 

"Yes, sir, it is, that’s a fact. I’ve had it 
bellow right out when I struck a fork in it,” said 
the captain, earnestly. 

"That explains one thing, then,” laughed John. 
"I wondered why it lasted so well. 

‘ Roast beef hot, 

Roast beef cold, 

Roast beef in the hash, 

Nine days old.^^^ 


CHAPTER XXVI 

THE RIDE ACROSS THE LAKE 

Great poem,” remarked Lee, soberly, al- 
though his companions laughed at the jingle. 

'^Try yours, Lee,” suggested John, quickly. 
^^Lee couldn’t go to sleep last night he was so 
proud of a poem he had composed. I think he 
dedicated it to Miss Margaret,” he explained. 

was such a pathetic piece of work I sobbed 
myself to sleep over it.” 

^^Must have been pathetic to see Lee at work,” 
said Scott. ^^What was the poem? Let’s have 
it.” 

Thus urged, Lee arose, and, taking a tragic 
attitude, said: ^^The sorrow of Miss Margaret 
because the bears wouldn’t dance for her inspired 
me. I just could not get over it, and then my 
muse, I think it was Melpomene — ” 

^^Must have been,” interrupted John, dryly. 

312 


THE RIDE ACROSS THE LAKE 313 


^^Yes, suh, it was!^^ declared Lee, positively. 

Sometimes, though, I confess I get those nine 
ladies somewhat confused — ” 

‘^Nine ladies or ^nein’?^^ John broke in once 
more. 

could see her perfectly, perfectly,’^ continued 
Lee, ignoring the interruption, ^^and this is what 
she sang to me : — 

“ ^ Bruin — 

Nothin^ doin^^” 

^^Your poetical composition is somewhat more 
elongated than the literary production you 
confided to my auricular receptacles last night, 
Lee Harris,’^ declared John, so soberly that the 
laughter of the party was renewed. 

^^Wefil stop at that island yonder,^^ called the 
captain, pointing to a wooded island in the midst 
of the lake. There are buffaloes there, and you 
will want to see them.’’ 

The attention of the passengers was quickly 
diverted by the announcement, and as the little 
steamer came alongside the rude dock that pro- 
jected from the shore of the island, there was a 
rush for the landing in which our friends shared. 
Several men could be seen about the grounds, 
and as the passengers followed the pathway that 


314 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


led to the enclosures within which the animals 
were confined, they could see elk in some of the 
pens and buffaloes in others. The younger mem- 
bers of the herd of buffaloes were shut within the 
boundaries of one large yard, while in another 
and smaller pen a huge buffalo bull, alone and 
evidently not pleased by the arrival of visitors, 
was to be seen. His great shaggy head was 
lowered, and standing a few feet back from the 
fence, his little eyes gleamed wickedly as he 
watched the visitors that had now assembled to 
see him. 

^^What a beauty!’^ exclaimed Miss Kate. 
don’t wonder they used to call him the ^monarch 
of the plains.’ It’s a shame to shut him up here.” 

Rather fortunate for us that he is, though,” 
suggested Larcum, as the great brute suddenly 
advanced directly toward the fence, shaking his 
huge head as he did so. He stopped when he 
was close to it, however, but the gleam of rage 
in his beadlike eyes increased. 

You’re not very polite,” called Miss Margaret, 
as she pushed the end of her parasol between the 
rails and bestowed a sharp thrust upon the shaggy 
head. 

Instantly and with a snort of rage the buffalo 


THE RIDE ACROSS THE LAKE 315 


darted against the fence and delivered such a 
blow with his head that the stakes creaked almost 
as if they would yield to the onslaught. The 
observers fled from the place, and one of the 
attendants rushed upon the spot and angrily 
demanded : — 

^^Who did that? Who made him mad? 
Don’t you know there’s a big fine for bothering 
the animals here? If he should throw himself 
hard against that fence, I don’t believe it would 
hold; and if he once got loose, you’d wish you 
were all on the other side of the lake!” 

No one replied to the demand of the guard, 
although many glances of anger were bestowed 
upon the girl who had been the cause of the 
trouble. Miss Margaret, however, apparently 
indifferent to the commotion she had aroused, 
laughingly turned to her friends and said: ^^Oh, 
come on ! Let’s go back to the boat. Who wants 
to stand here and watch those horrid-smelling 
creatures? It’s going to rain, too 1” she hastily 
added. 

The clouds which had been gathering verified 
her words, and when the rain began to fall, there 
^’as a scramble as the passengers fled for the 
shelter of the steamer. The rain was still falling 


316 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

when the boat resumed its voyage, but the clouds 
soon passed and the sharp downpour ceased. 

^^See all those pelicans exclaimed Miss Jean, 
excitedly, as she pointed to numbers of the birds 
that could be seen not far away. Just as she 
spoke, one of the great birds rose lazily against 
the wind and then suddenly darted beneath the 
surface of the lake. When it rose, a fish was 
plainly to be seen in its bill, but in a moment the 
captive disappeared, though no one could deter- 
mine whether the fish had been swallowed or 
thrust into the pouch of the pelican. 

Many other pelicans were seen as the steamer 
sped toward the Lake hotel, which now appeared 
in the distance. Other birds also were seen, but 
not one of them seemed to take any notice of the 
passing boat, frequently permitting it to approach 
within a few yards without any sign of fear. 

The captain now called the attention of his 
passengers to the sawlike edge of the summits 
of the far-away Rockies, and pointing out one 
particular spot, said: “That^s the ^sleeping 
giant.’ You can make out the outlines of his 
face against the skyline. Isn’t that the greatest 
sight you ever saw?” 

A silence fell over the company as every ore 


THE RIDE ACROSS THE LAKE 317 


lued at the marvellous sight. Clearly defined, 
the face of the ^ ^ giant could be seen against the 
background of the clouds, the upturned features 
expressive of patience and restfulness, as if, in 
spite of the centuries that had vainly swept over 
him, his calm confidence in the outcome of that 
for which he had been waiting was unbroken. 

^^It makes me feel as if I ought to say my 
prayers, said Miss Jean, in a low voice. 

Plainly every one was deeply impressed by the 
sight of the strong and rugged face, but in a 
moment the deeper feeling passed and the youth- 
ful lack of reverence asserted itself. 

^^He makes me think he must be tired, said 
Lee. ^^Just think how long he has been lying 
there on his back, not able even to turn over on 
his side.^^ 

shouldn't think that would trouble you, Lee. 
I never knew you to complain because you were 
left in bed too long,'^ said Scott. 

''And I should think he’d be chilly, too, at 
times, to say the least,” continued Lee. "The 
breezes must blow up there when they brace 
themselves against the mountains.” 

"But just think of the blankets he has,” 
suggested Miss Jean. "The snow covers all his 


318 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


body except his head, and when the wind whistles, 
it must sound to him just about like the crooning 
of a mother to her baby” 

''Miss Jean, you write a poem about that 
giant. You can do it,” suggested John. 

"That^s right, — do it, do it now. Miss Jean!” 
added Scott. "Boston people write poems about 
the tough steak out here, but I^d like to have you 
show them that a New York girl thinks of some- 
thing a little finer and higher than that.” 

The girl laughingly declared her inability to 
comply, and the thoughts of the young people 
were speedily diverted by the view of their 
destination, which was not far away now, and by 
the sight of several skiffs manifestly returning 
from the fishing grounds. 

"That^s what we’ll do the first thing,” declared 
Larcum, eagerly, as he watched the fishermen. 
"We’ll get some boats and guides and go right 
out there and try it ourselves.” 

As the other three boys promptly and heartily 
assented, Larcum turned to the girls and inquired : 
"Perhaps you would like to go with us? We’d 
be glad to have you.” 

"I’ll go,” declared Miss Margaret, promptly. 

"Will you go, Miss Kate ? and you, Miss Jean?” 
said Larcum. 


THE RIDE ACROSS THE LAKE 319 


Miss Kate hesitated before she said: Thank 
you, I^m afraid Idl be a hindrance. I don't 
mean to judge you, but it always seemed to me 
a bit cruel to catch fish on hooks." 

^^Nonsense," laughed Larcum. ^^It's only serv- 
ing out to them just what they were trying to do 
to others — that's all. The trout snaps at a fly or 
grabs what he thinks is a worm, and instead of 
hurting or eating something else, he gets hurt and 
eaten himself. Besides, it doesn't hurt," he added 
illogically. They're cold-blooded creatures and 
can't suffer any pain. Better come, Miss Kate." 

The girls finally assented, and as Mr. Lawrence 
departed to secure their rooms, the younger people 
hastened to the boat-houses, and in a brief time 
had secured guides, boats, and tackle and were 
soon afterward being rowed swiftly toward the 
fishing-grounds. Miss Margaret had confidently 
appropriated a seat in Scott's skiff, not altogether 
to that young gentleman's liking. His feeling of 
irritation speedily gave place to one of sincere 
admiration of the girl's skill when the party 
arrived at the fishing-grounds, for she proved her- 
self an adept at the sport. 

It was nearly two hours later, and the sun was 
low in the western sky, when the party returned 


320 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


to the hotel with the speckled beauties they had 
secured strung on stringers’’ which the 
guides cut from the willows on the shore. Miss 
Margaret insisted upon carrying, herself, the fish 
which she and Scott had secured, and when they 
drew near the piazza, an interested group speedily 
assembled to inspect the catch and express their 
admiration for the skill of the fishermen. Miss 
Kate and Miss Jean, however, did not delay, but 
at once went to their rooms. Miss Margaret, her 
face flushed and her eyes shining, did not volunteer 
to give up the prizes which she and her companion 
had secured, and somewhat too loudly, or so 
Scott at least thought, received and replied to 
the plaudits of the people. 

Remember, Scott,” she called as at last she 
flung the fish upon the grass, ^^you are to have 
some of them cooked for our dinner to-night.” 

^^You can’t cook ’em,” said the guide, who also 
had remained in front of the hotel. 

^^Tan’t cook them’? Why not, I’d hke to 
know?” demanded the girl, sharply. 

’Cause they’re wormy. Probably every one of 
’em has got worms along the backbone. If you 
want me to. I’ll open up one so that you 
for yourself.” 


THE RIDE ACROSS THE LAKE 321 


^^No! No!’’ exclaimed the girl. ^^Horrors! 
Don’t ever say ^fish’ to me again!” 

Scott laughed, and then with the other boys, 
whose success had not been so great as that 
which he and Miss Margaret had obtained, 
entered the hotel, where, near the door, they found 
Mr. Lawrence looking for them. 

hear you had great success, boys,” he said 
pleasantly. 

^^Yes, sir, we did,” replied John. ^^But you 
won’t get any of the fish we caught for 
dinner to-night. The guide says they’re all 
wormy.” 

We’ll do our best to get along without them, 
then,” replied Mr. Lawrence, with a smile. 

Speaking of dinner reminds me, boys, that 
we’re not likely to get in at the first table. The 
clerk informs me that the bears come about this 
time, and if you will go at once to your rooms 
and make yourselves beautiful, we’ll go all out 
to see them.” 

^^Nine of them, Mr. Lawrence?” called Lar- 
cum, as he took the keys of their rooms and 
prepared to follow out the suggestion. 

^^I’ll not vouch for the number,” laughed Mr. 
Lawrence. ^^The clerk says there is no question 


322 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


about seeing them, though ; that is, if we are there 
on time.’’ 

Don’t wait for us, Mr. Lawrence,” called 
Larcum once more. ^^You go right down to the 
place where they are, and we’ll come as soon as 
we are ready. By the way, you didn’t tell us 
where the place is,” he added. 

Right beyond the barns. Follow the path- 
way, and you can’t miss the way. I think your 
suggestion is a good one, and we’ll leave every 
member of the party to find his own way to the 
bears. The place is in the clearing about six 
hundred feet back of the hotel.” 

Only a brief time had elapsed before the boys 
had made themselves beautiful,” and then they 
ran eagerly out of the hotel. They had gone but 
a few yards when they overtook the girls, and 
Miss Margaret was lamenting because she was 
certain there wouldn’t be any more bears than 
there had been at Old Faithful, and it was a pity 
too, for she had her kodak all ready. 

^^But there were ^nein’ bears at Old Faithful,” 
suggested John. 

didn’t see one, and I don’t see what you are 
all laughing at, either.” 

was thinking of Lee’s poem,” protested 




THE RIDE ACROSS THE LAKE 323 

Scott. can^t keep the thing out of my head, — 

Bruin — 

Nothin^ doin^ ’ ’ ’ 

^^We’ll sing that all right to-night, declared 
the girl. ^ ' Hush ! What's that ? " 

The girls of the party started timidly, as the 
sound of a rattling cart or wagon could be heard 
in advance of them, but as the boys declared 
there was nothing to fear, they began to move 
forward again, and in a few moments a cart 
drawn by a mule did indeed appear. 

'^That's the garbage wagon from the hotel," 
said Larcum. Probably the stuff the bears eat 
has just been taken out there. We're just in 
time. Come on! Come on!" 

The curiosity of the girls apparently had over- 
come their fears, and the party moved on more 
swiftly. 

There's the place! There are a good many 
people there already," said Scott, in a low voice, 
as he pointed to the border of the little clearing. 
^Tome on. We don't want to miss this." 

We'll not get left this trip," shouted Miss 
Margaret, as they drew near the waiting groups. 
Glances of anger were bestowed upon the girl by 
the assembly, and one man said sharply to her ; 


324 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^Don^t speak so loud, miss. Youdl scare the 
bears away.^’ 

^^Are there any here?’^ demanded Miss Mar- 
garet, in a low voice. 

^^Not yet. They^ll be here in a minute or 
two,” replied the man. 

A silence fell upon the waiting assembly, in 
which even Miss Margaret was compelled to join. 
The eyes of most of the people were eagerly 
turned toward the great trees and the clumps of 
bushes on the opposite side of the clearing. Some, 
however, were nervously adjusting their cameras, 
a task in which the members of our party also 
were engaged, when suddenly some one in a loud 
whisper exclaimed: There they come! There 
they come !” 


CHAPTER XXVII 

BRUIN APPEARS 

Every one instantly became silent and with 
straining eyes gazed at the place which the man 
who had ' discovered the approach of the bears 
indicated. 

canT see any. I donT believe there are 
any here/^ exclaimed Miss Margaret, ignoring the 
angry glances which the waiting assembly again 
cast upon her. 

In a moment, however, three immense black 
bears appeared, slowly and with a certain air of 
dignity and grace withdrawing from the shelter- 
ing trees and advancing toward the place where 
their evening meal had been left for them. Occa- 
sionally the huge beasts turned their heads slowly 
from one side to the other as if they were in- 
specting the semicircular line of spectators, but 
their steady approach to the food was unbroken. 

326 


326 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


The interest of the watching people was intense 
now, and only the first low whisper of admiration 
at the appearance of the bears was heard. The 
bolder animals at once advanced to their feast, 
while cameras were snapped on every side, and 
the excitement of the beholders steadily in- 
creased. The interest became still greater when 
other bears also were seen approaching from the 
forest, plainly intent upon sharing in the repast. 
The second division, however, consisted of four 
brown bears, and it was evident that they planned 
to have nothing to do with their blacker companions 
who were already at the feast, for each party 
remained by itself. 

^^They draw the color line even here, Lee,’’ 
whispered John to his friend ; but Lee only shook 
his head and made no other response as he gazed 
eagerly at the sight before them. 

The bears that were first at the banquet lost 
no time in idle investigation of the assembly, but 
at once began to inspect what had been offered 
them. As they had the ^^pick of all the good 
things,” as Larcum afterward declared, they were 
slightly particular in their selection of tidbits. 
With their great broad fore-paws they turned 
over the mass of food, and whenever they dis- 


BRUIN APPEARS 


327 


covered some specially toothsome dainty, they 
pulled it forth by their sharp claws, and sitting 
erect upon their haunches and with every evidence 
of satisfaction, devoured it as if they were in no 
haste to complete their meal. For ten minutes 
the group of bears, ignoring all signs of the 
presence of visitors, and apparently without fear 
of them or of one another, leisurely continued 
their meal, and then suddenly there was an air of 
restlessness displayed by them all. Every bear 
threw back his ears, glanced nervously into the 
woods behind them, and though they did not 
relax their efforts, they nevertheless betrayed 
signs of anger or of irritation at some threatening 
interruption. In a moment out from what Scott 
termed the ^^overhanging underbrush, more 
bears were seen slowly drawing near to the 
feeding-grounds. There were five of the new- 
comers, and as they approached, one of the men 
standing near our party said in a whisper, ^^Silver- 
tips.'' 

The procession of five, apparently ignoring the 
disturbance their arrival had created, advanced 
slowly to another part of the grounds, and with- 
out betraying any knowledge of the presence of 
the others, at once began to help themselves to 


328 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


the food before them. Our boys could see that 
the silver-tips were slightly different in their 
appearance from the other bears, for there was 
a mixture of gray in their shaggy coats, and a line, 
nearly white, extended the length of their backs, 
and their heads were unmistakably gray. 

Don’t look much like the poor fellows we see 
in captivity at home,” suggested Miss Kate, in a 
whisper, as she excitedly watched the latest 
arrivals. ^^Oh! oh!” she added. ''Just see 
those darling little cubs!” 

Emerging from the brush came a huge mother 
bear with two small cubs attending her — one 
moving along on each side of their ponderous 
mother. 

A whispered exclamation of delight arose from 
the spectators at the sight, and once more the 
cameras were called into use while the eyes of 
all the assembly were fixed upon the mother bear 
and her babies. 

"Dandies !” whispered Larcum, eagerly. 

His friends were too deeply interested in the 
sight before them to respond, although every 
one acknowledged the forcefulness of Larcum’s 
assertion. The mother, with her cubs still follow- 
ing her, now cautiously approached a more retired 


BRUIN APPEARS 


329 


part of the feeding-grounds, all the time watching 
the other bears anxiously, as if she was fearful 
that some of them had designs upon her babies, 
in whose perfection she plainly was as firm a 
believer as any in the interested throng of specta- 
tors. She at once began to feed, but her hunger 
did not prevent her from keeping a watchful eye 
upon her cubs, which as soon as their mother was 
busied in her occupation began to play much after 
the fashion of a couple of kittens. They rose upon 
their haunches whenever their dam assumed a 
similar position, and gazed about them with an 
air so serious that the delight of the people be- 
came still more keen. Satisfied that they had 
nothing to fear, the cubs would then begin at 
each other, wrestling, pulling, biting, and tumbling 
about as if they could in no other manner express 
their pleasure at being alive and being where they 
were. 

Suddenly a difference of opinion concerning the 
possession of a tidbit arose between two of the 
silver-tips, and sitting erect upon their hind 
quarters, the two bears faced each other with 
angry snarls, with ears laid back and every mani- 
festation of anger. 

Either disgusted by the sight of her quarrelsome 


330 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


neighbors or alarmed for the safety of her babies, 
the mother bear, by some tone or expression which 
the interested spectators could not hear, instantly 
summoned the two cubs to her and apparently 
whispered some warning in their ears. 

Like obedient children the cubs quickly turned 
and ran swiftly to a cedar tree which stood not 
far away on the border of the clearing, and clasp- 
ing the trunk, one cub behind the other, scrambled 
up into the branches, where they could be seen 
peering down upon the ^ bribes, as if they still 
were puzzled to understand what the precautions 
of their mother might mean. 

All the bears had meanwhile resumed their feed- 
ing, but in a brief time another altercation arose 
between the .two silver-tips that before had had 
such a serious difference of opinion over the pos- 
session of certain choice morsels. It was plain 
that one of the two was, or had been, the ^^king,^^ 
and was ready to dispute the right of any one 
to interfere with his own selection of the best for 
himself. The other bear, however, although not 
quite so large and evidently somewhat younger, 
was rebelling against the assumed right of his 
leader to deprive him of his findings and was 
almost ready to contest the king’s claim. 



His enemy, with blazing eyes and open jaws, was in 
FULL PURSUIT. — Page 331. 



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BRUIN APPEARS 


331 


The two bears, both thoroughly enraged, now 
rose on their haunches, while the elder aimed a 
vicious swing with one fore-paw at the head of 
his rival. The blow was neatly dodged, and the 
younger returned the blow in kind and succeeded 
in bestowing a '^cuff’^ upon the king’s head. 
With a howl of rage the larger bear flung himself 
upon the other, and with snarls and savage growl- 
ing the strugghng animals together came to the 
ground — the king contriving to bring the body 
of the younger bear beneath him in the fall. 
Growls and howls and snarls arose from the fight- 
ing animals, and then in a brief time the younger 
bear managed to elude the clutches of his enemy, 
slipped from his position beneath the other’s 
body, and then ingloriously fled from the fray. 

It may have been that his fear prevented him 
from perceiving the direction in which his flight 
was leading him, for at full speed he started 
directly toward the place where the excited and 
interested spectators were standing, and his 
enemy, with blazing eyes and open jaws, was in 
full pursuit and close behind. 

The commotion among the assembled people was 
instantaneous. There were shrieks and screams 
from the ladies, and the men manifested almost 


332 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


as great terror, as every one fled up the pathway 
toward the hotel. Skirts fluttered, the shrill 
screams of the panic-stricken women could be 
heard in the midst of the confusion, while the 
^Hime’’ of the fleeing mass of men and women 
would have done credit to Larcum when he had 
been doing his utmost in speeding down the field 
with the precious football tucked imder his arm. 
The four boys kept close to their companions and 
did their utmost to help in their escape from the 
place. Miss Kate^s face was as colorless as her 
sister’s, and even Miss Margaret, who ordinarily 
was apparently without fear, betrayed no desire 
to finger behind her friends. 

Suddenly a man darted past the group, his hat 
gone, his hands opening and closing as if he were 
vainly striving to grasp some means of defence, 
and the speed at which he was running plainly 
indicating the terror that possessed him. At 
another time the man’s wild appearance might 
have been ludicrous, but not even Larcum smiled 
now, although he recognized the fugitive as Mr. 
Smith. 

In his excitement ignoring the path he was fol- 
lowing, the imfortunate man suddenly ran at full 
speed against the trunk of a huge tree and was 


BRUIN APPEARS 


333 


J 


flung back as helpless upon the ground as if the 
tide had angrily resented his blow. 

^^Look out for the girls called Larcum to 
the boys, as he instantly halted to assist the unfor- 
tunate fugitive. 

As soon as he became aware that the man was 
merely stunned and not seriously hurt by the force 
of the collision, Larcum quickly resumed the pur- 
suit of his friends, whom he discovered still panting 
and almost breathless on the piazza of the hotel. 

^^Why didn’t you keep up, Larc?” demanded 
Scott, as his friend joined the group. A reaction 
had come with the gaining of safety and all were 
laughing now, though there was still an element 
of nervousness in the manner of Miss Kate. 

You’re mighty brave now, aren’t you, Scott?” 
retorted Larcum. ^^My, but I never would have 
believed you could sprint like that. It’s a pity 
we didn’t know it in school. You’d have made the 
track team easily.” 

^^But where were you, Larc?” demanded Scott, 
laughing as he spoke. 

^^To be perfectly honest with you, Scott, I 
stopped to help a fellow who was having a hard 
time.” 

^^Did the bears get him?” 


334 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


''No, sir, I was there, I'd have you know! I 
think the man was ill." 

"Sick? What was the matter with him?" 
demanded Scott. 

"I didn't stop to inquire, but he acted as if 
he might be — seasick," replied Larcum, drawl- 
ingly. Ignoring the shout of the boys, he con- 
tinued: "But no joking, fellows. I stopped to 
help Mr. Smith." 

"Why didn't you leave him for the bears?" 
inquired John. "But I don't believe, after all, 
it would have done any good. He'd have fixed 
it up in no time with them, so that they would 
even have brought him all the choice bits they 
could find in that garbage heap out there." 

"Here he comes now," said Lee, as the man in 
question drew near. His face was discolored and 
bruised, and the marks of his collision also were to 
be plainly seen on his clothing. He did not stop, 
however, to speak to any one, but passed directly 
to his room, so that no opportunity was afforded 
for further inquiries. 

The excitement of the returning people, who 
now entered the hotel laughing and with faces 
flushed, died away with the sense of security, 
but every one was talking about the exciting inci- 


BRVIN APPEARS 


335 


ient — the members of our party being not the 
least to be aroused by the flight. 

^'Dare you to go out there again, Larc!’^ ex- 
claimed Scott. 

don^t mind Mares, answered Larcum, 
slowly, ^'but it's a long walk, and I don't believe 
in taking exercise when one is tired." 

'^When do you take your exercise?" inquired 
Miss Margaret, demurely. 

‘^Not when I'm tired," laughed Larcum. ‘^And 
I'm always tired. I was born tired." 

'Tome on, Larc," pleaded Scott. "Let's go 
out there again, anyway, and see what has hap- 
pened. I'll protect you. Don't be afraid." 

"Come along, then," retorted Larcum, and 
together the two boys started toward the clearing 
where the bears had been seen. When they 
arrived at the place, however, not a bear was 
there, and the clearing was as deserted as if none 
had ever been there. 

When the boys returned to the hotel, they dis- 
covered that their friends were already seated in 
the dining room, and they themselves were com- 
pelled to wait another half-hour before they were 
able to gain an entrance. Later they rejoined 
their friends, who were seated in the lobby, and 


336 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE, 


as the boys approached, Mr. Lawrence said lightl> j 
^^You can’t complain of any lack of excitemeiit 
to-day, boys.” 

think those bears were perfectly lovely!” 
exclaimed Miss Margaret. just wanted to 
go right out there and take one of those cubs 
in my hands.” 

fancy you would have had your hands full/^ 
laughed John. ^^You’d have had to take the old 
bear, too, you know.” 

don’t know about that,” retorted the girl. 
^^But it’s the best sight we’ve seen in the Park.” 

was more interested in Two-Ocean Pond 
than I was in the bears,” said Miss Jean. 

‘Two-Ocean Pond’?” inquired Larcum. “I 
missed that. Where was it? What was it?” 

“Why, we passed it this morning. A little 
pond, and out of one side goes a stream that 
finally flows into the Pacific, and out of the other 
flows one that goes into the Atlantic. And you 
didn’t see it?” cried Miss Jean. 

“No, ma’am. And I don’t remember that I 
was asleep either,” responded Larcum, ruefully. 

“He doesn’t remember anything when he’s 
asleep,” declared Scott. “And I’m going to 
take him to his little bed now.” 


CHAPTER XXVIII 

ON THE BRINK 

The following day dawned cloudless like its 
predecessors, and at an early hour the journey 
was resumed. Even the horses seemed to be 
aware that they had entered upon the last stage 
of their advance into the Park, and it was under- 
stood that on the following morning the return 
might be begun. As the canon for which the party 
had now started was said to be the most sublime 
and beautiful of all the sights in the Park, every 
one was rejoicing over the fact that the best 
experiences had been reserved to be last. 

About five miles from the Lake hotel the driver 
halted his horses, and turning to his party said : 

That’s the Mud Geyser there, just a few rods 
from the road. Go right up the bank and you 
can’t miss it.” 

Even Larcum hesitated to comply, and Miss 
337 


338 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

Margaret said glibly: go ahead, driver! 

WeVe seen all the 'geesers’ we want to see/^ 

^^You mustn^t miss this/^ replied the driver, 
stubbornly. ‘^I’W wait for you.^^ 

Thus bidden, the entire party, with the excep- 
tion of Miss Margaret, left their seats in the coach 
and began to walk in the direction indicated by 
their driver, although no one betrayed any special 
interest in their visit to the place. 

In a very brief time, however, they were all 
deeply interested as they stood on the border of 
the crater, whose funnel-shaped hollow was at 
least thirty feet in depth. As they gazed into the 
depths they could see a lead-colored, sickening 
mass of boiling mud of about the consistency of 
mortar. But not the heavy, throbbing mass was 
alone interesting, for there was a continual, deep 
muffled roar that was fascinating as well as ter- 
rifying. It sounded almost as if the very earth 
beneath the feet of the observers was seething 
like the contents of a huge kettle. The sight and 
sounds were among the most awful that had been 
found in the Park. 

‘‘1 wouldnT have missed that for a good deaV^ 
said Scott, as he and his companions returned to 
the coach. Driver, he inquired as he climbed 


ON THE BRINK 


339 


up to his seat, see that the trees all about here 
are plastered with mud. Does it come from the 
mud volcano 

^^It did,^^ replied the driver, as he resumed his 
journey. ^^It doesn^t play that way now, but in 
1898, when that volcano broke out, it threw mud 
as far as half a mile from here. You could see 
it on the trees if you should go over there, and 
as he spoke the man pointed with his whip tow- 
ard a distant forest. 

We won’t stop for it now, thank you,” laughed 
Scott. We’ll take your word for it.” 

suppose one of those things is just as likely 
to break out now as it ever was,” suggested Miss 
Margaret, who also was on the seat beside the 
driver. Might break out right here in the road,” 
she added. 

^^If we don’t make better time,” responded the 
driver, as he partly rose from his seat and savagely 
lashed one of his ^4eaders.” 

You needn’t do that on our account,” said the 
girl. We’re in no such haste as to have that poor 
animal suffer that way. You can’t hurt a bear, 
you mustn’t even touch a buffalo with the tip of 
your parasol, but you can abuse a horse all you 
want to !” 


340 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


knows what it^s for/^ responded the 
driver, gruffly. ^^He^s just letting the other 
fellow do all the pulling. Hedl be good now.^’ 

The drive soon led into a desolate region where 
blasted trees and dreary stretches of absolutely 
barren formations were to be seen, and the rising 
vapor and odor of sulphur plainly indicated that 
the volcanic forces were not entirely extinct. 
Then the young travellers soon found themselves 
passing a most beautiful and extensive valley 
that stretched away in the distance and presented 
almost the appearance of having been cultivated 
by man. But as there were no homesteads or 
settlers within the boundaries of the great pre- 
serve, it was evident that the resemblance was in 
appearance only. 

It was not long before the coach was speeding 
along beside the river, and wherever one turned 
his eyes he could behold the huge pelicans feeding 
or swimming about on the clear waters, searching 
for their breakfast in the depths below. 

The noon hour had not arrived when the coach 
crossed the Grand Canon bridge, a magnificent 
structure across the Yellowstone River and near 
the head of the Upper Falls. Glimpses of the 
falling, rushing waters were to be had here, and 


ON THE BRINK 


341 


the eagerness of the young people was quickly 
aroused. All the stories they had heard of the 
magnificence and impressiveness of the Grand 
Canon and the falls were about to be verified, 
and as the toiling horses now dragged their heavy 
load up the steep hillsides whither the winding 
road led, the compassion of Miss Margaret for 
the horses departed, and she even urged the driver 
to ^^make them go faster.’^ 

Ignoring her suggestion, as he previously had 
her protests, the driver skilfully handled his reins, 
spoke occasionally to his horses, and after a long 
and steady pull the coach was brought out into 
the road above. Then with a shout and a flour- 
ish of his whip the driver started the willing beasts 
into a swifter pace, and almost before his party 
was aware, he had driven up in front of the hotel 
and halted by the broad piazza. 

As the young people leaped out. Miss Kate 
exclaimed, ^^Oh, do look at that dear little fawn ! 
I must see it!^^ The eager girl, followed by her 
friends, at once ran to the end of the piazza, where 
a group was assembled about a young girl who 
was holding a fawn in her arms. The little crea- 
ture turned its dark eyes toward the newcomers, 
r as Miss Kate reached forth her hand to 


342 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

stroke its head, the fawn responded by licking her 
fingers. 

^^Oh, the little dear!’’ 

^^That’s exactly what it is, Miss Kate,” laughed 
John. 

^^Just see the spots and the markings on its 
back,” continued the girl. ^^Did you ever 
see anything so beautiful? And then do look 
at those eyes! They just speak, they are so 
appealing.” 

Where did you get it?” inquired John of one 
of the* employees of the hotel, who was standing 
near, apparently not very -deeply interested in 
the remarks of the visitors. 

Found it the other day,” replied the man. 

Found it out by the timber yonder. Probably 
its mother had been scared by a bear and made off 
and left it.” 

Those dreadful bears!” exclaimed Miss Kate. 
^^Most likely they ate up the mother, and it’s 
a wonder they didn’t get the fawn, too.” 

'^Oh, they’ll get it all right, before winter,” 
said the man, indifferently. 

Aren’t you going to take care of it? You 
ought to be as good to it as you are to those h" .a 
bears!” retorted the girb 


ON THE BRINK 


343 


shan’t hurt it, miss,” replied the man, 
laughing. ^^But it’s hard to bring ’em up.” 

^^How old is it?” 

^'About six weeks, I should think.” As the 
child that had been holding the little creature 
now placed it upon the ground it began to walk 
unsteadily toward the rear of the hotel. ^'You 
can see for yourself,” continued the man, ^Hhat 
its legs wabble too much. They never do well 
when they’re brought up by hand.” 

wish I had it at home,” said Miss Kate, 
eagerly. 

wish ye had,” responded the man, heartily. 
^^’Twould save us a good bit of work here.” 

The party now entered the hotel, where Mr. 
Lawrence, who, as usual, had assumed charge of 
the securing of their rooms, handed keys to the 
boys, and said: Right after luncheon we’ll start 
for Point Lookout. We’ll have our coach come 
for us, as it will — for an extra fare,” he added 
with a laugh, ^^and then we’ll all go out to see 
the Grand Canon itself.” 

When the afternoon hour arrived for our party 
to set forth on the last tour of inspection, a silence 
fell upon the ladies as the coach was driven along 
the road that bordered the Grand Canon, and 


344 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


even the boys were somewhat more subdued than 
they had previously been. Occasional glimpses 
of the sides of the huge opening into the earth 
were to be had, but the reality of that which they 
were about to see had not as yet been disclosed. 
Miss Kate and Miss Jean, as well as their mother, 
were clinging tightly to their seats, and their 
faces were pale as Larcum and Scott, who were 
near them, could easily perceive; but neither of 
the boys made any remark, for it may have been 
that their own feelings at the time were not of a 
character that lacked sympathy for their friends. 

thought the road was close to the edge of 
the canon all the way,^^ faltered Miss Kate, as 
the view was for a time hidden by the intervening 
trees. 

^^It^s as close as they could make it, I fancy,^’ 
said John, ^^but you didn’t think you’d be swing- 
ing right over the abyss, did you?” 

''I didn’t know,” said the girl, in a low voice, 
thought it might be as it was back at the Golden 
Gate. That was right on the edge, you know.” 

^^Here we are,” called the driver, as he halted 
his teams. 

''Is this Point Lookout?” demanded Larcum, 
in surprise. 


ON THE BRINK 


345 


is. Go right down that path and follow 
the railing, and it will lead you right out to the 
place you want. Don't be scared," he added with 
a smile as he noticed the pale faces of the ladies. 
^^It won't hurt you." 

^‘1 couldn't sleep last night for thinking of it," 
said Mrs. Lawrence. 'G seemed to be reaching 
out over some awful precipice all the time. Others 
have come and seen it, and I'm not going to falter 
now. But I confess I am afraid," she added, 
as she frantically seized her husband's hand. 

The members of our party slowly and cautiously 
made their way down the pathway, and then, 
tightly grasping the rail that had been placed 
as a protection to the walk on the point itself, 
soon arrived at the place they were seeking. 

For a time no one spoke, so majestic and awe- 
inspiring was the sight before them and below 
them. Many hundreds of feet below, the river, 
like a little thread of silver, swiftly rushed on its 
course through the canon. At the head of the 
canon the glistening waters of the Falls appeared, 
but in the light of the perspective to be obtained 
the fall of three hundred and sixty feet seemed 
scarcely credible. The precipitous sides of the 
canon, itself brilliant-hued, almost startling in 


346 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

their gay colors, rose from the far-away depths. 
And the stillness, the silence — not even the roar 
of the mighty cataract or the rushing of the swift 
waters beneath the point could be heard. The 
sight was oppressive in its silent majesty, and as 
Larcum glanced at his friends he could see that 
they, too, shared in the feeling which for a mo- 
ment swept over him — the sense of danger, as 
if the projecting point of rock upon which they 
were standing might at that moment yield to the 
onslaught of wave and wind and frost and snow 
and precipitate them all into the depths below. 

^^Look there! Oh, look there 1^^ exclaimed 
Miss Margaret, pointing to the crest of a tall spire 
of rock rising directly from beside the bed of the 
river up toward them, although the top of the 
^ ^ needle was still hundreds of feet beneath 
the place upon which the party was standing. 
^^There^s an eagle’s nest, right on the very top 
of that spire. Can you see it?” 

Instantly every one looked down, and the mass 
of brush of which the nest was composed was 
plainly visible. 

^^There are the eagles now !” added the excited 
girl, and all could see one of the great birds cir- 
cling about the rock until in a moment it darted 


ON THE BRINK 


347 


to the place and alighted. Its mate, too, could 
be seen sweeping the valley in great circles, rising 
steadily higher and higher until it was level with 
the observers, and even then it did not pause. 
Steadily up and still upward it rose, until it was 
at last five or six hundred feet above the point 
and directly over the abyss. 

should like to see an eagle fall,’^ said Mr. 
Lawrence. have often read accounts of what 
they do then, but I never chanced to see one.’^ 
^^Look there! Look there 1^^ shouted Miss 
Margaret. ^^He^s going to fall now! Just see 
him! There he comes !’^ 

A murmur arose from the observers as it was 
seen that the girl had spoken truly. The great 
bird, carefully balancing itself on its wings for 
a moment, suddenly seemed to ^Tet go of itself, 
as Larcum defined the movement, and dropped. 
Straight down for a distance, then, losing its 
balance or caught by the winds, the bird’s course 
changed, and tumbling, whirling, it continued to 
drop until at least six hundred feet had been 
covered in its fall. Then with a sweep of its 
powerful wings it once more rose on the air, and 
in graceful curves at last drew near the nest, where 
it, too, alighted. 


348 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


A sigh escaped the lips of the watching people, 
and Lee said, ^^That certainly was the funniest 
sight that ever I saw/^ 

The people who heard him smiled at his ex- 
pression, and John turned and looked at his friend 
so reprovingly that Lee laughed, for he understood 
the rebuke for his use of a word that assuredly 
was out of place at such a time. 

^^IVe been trying to think of that little poem 
Tennyson wrote about the fall of the eagle, — 
^The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls — like 
a thunder-bolt he falls, ^ — but I canT quite get 
it,^^ suggested John. DoesnT any one know it ? 

Before any one could reply. Miss Margaret 
provided a diversion’^ that was so startling that 
for a moment no one spoke, while all gazed at her 
with an expression of unutterable fear or horror 
in their eyes. 


CHAPTER XXIX 

TWO EXCITING EXPERIENCES 

While the eyes of the interested spectators 
had been turned to watch the sweeping flight of 
the eagle, Miss Margaret, unobserved by her com- 
panions, had crawled beneath the railing at their 
left and had taken a position on the huge rock 
that jutted out over the chasm and around whose 
border there was not the slightest protection. 
A slip or a misstep might cause her to fall, and 
almost directly beneath her stretched the yawn- 
ing abyss. 

A light laugh from the girl as she gained the 
position which she sought caused her friends 
to turn abruptly, and as they looked at their fool- 
hardy companion, Mrs. Lawrence screamed and 
the face of her husband instantly became color- 
less. He did not dare to speak sharply to the 
girl for fear of startling her and perhaps causing 
349 


850 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


her to do the very thing which had aroused a 
deep fear in his heart. The entire party for a 
moment stood staring in speechless alarm at 
Miss Margaret, and, evidently interpreting the 
startled expression on the faces of her friends as 
admiration, she laughed again and called : — 

^^This is the place where one can get the finest 
view.^^ As the girl spoke, Mrs. Lawrence gasped 
in terror, and Larcum made a movement as if he 
would go to her assistance. 

^^Oh, this is simply great shouted Miss Mar- 
garet. ^^It makes one feel as if he was really at 
the ^jumping-off place’ of the world!” 

In her excitement the girl began to dance, and 
Larcum halted abruptly as if he was fearful some 
action on his part might cause the girl to lose her 
balance or shp on the uneven stone. Others, too, 
were gazing in terror at the girl, who, apparently 
aroused by what she conceived to be admiration 
for her daring, began again to laugh and to move 
about over the treacherous rock. 

^^Hold on a minute 1” called Larcum, striving to 
speak calmly. ^^Keep perfectly still and I’ll 
join you.” 

Mr. Lawrence reached forth his hand to restrain 
the young traveller, but the expression in Larcum’s 



The young giant had swept her back close to the 

RAIL. — Page 351. 






TWO EXCITING EXPERIENCES 351 


eyes quickly caused him to desist, and what he 
had been about to say was left unspoken. The 
look of terror in the eyes of the beholders deep- 
ened as Larcum slowly and cautiously crept under 
the rail and moved toward the place where Miss 
Margaret, watching the approach of her friend, 
and still laughing noisily, remained standing 
motionless. In a moment Larcum had gained 
her side, and with pale face peered for a moment 
over the edge of the rock into the measureless 
depths below. 

^^IVe seen enough,^’ he said quietly. ^Tome 
on; let^s go back.^^ 

^^I^m not afraid,’^ protested the girl, noisily. 

^Terhaps not; but the others are.’^ 

'^They neednT be. My! just feel the wind.’’ 

^^Come, Miss Margaret,” pleaded Larcum. 

A spirit of perversity seemed to possess the 
girl, and she retorted: ^^Not yet! Oh, this is 
glorious ! Come out here, Kate ! You don’t 
know what you’re missing!” she called excitedly 
to her friend. 

Larcum meanwhile had stepped cautiously a 
little to one side of the excited girl and suddenly 
he threw his arm about her, and before she could 
protest or struggle, the young giant had swept 


352 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


her back close to the rail, where instantly Mr. 
Lawrence and Scott seized her by the arms and 
drew her into a place of safety. 

^‘1 hate you ! You^re a horrid thing ! exclaimed 
the girl, with flashing eyes, as she quickly turned 
upon Larcum, who was smiling now, though his 
labored breathing betrayed the intense excite- 
ment through which he had been passing. 

^ ^ Margaret said Mr. Lawrence, sternly, 
don^t care!^^ she exclaimed, her eyes Ailing 
with tears in her anger. ^^He fs perfectly horrid ! 
He had no business to do that ! I Ve a great notion 
to go straight back there And as she spoke, 
Miss Margaret turned and looked eagerly at the 
rock from which Larcum had snatched her. 

Margaret, if you do not come quietly and at 
once with us, I shall make arrangements to take 
you home immediately. It was worse than fool- 
ish for you to go outside the rail. You have 
destroyed much of the pleasure of this visit for 
us all.^^ As he spoke Mr. Lawrence glanced at 
his wife, who was wiping her eyes and trembling 
under the violence of the emotions which the 
reaction had aroused. ^Tome,’’ he added, we’ll 
go back to the coach.” 

Miss Margaret’s face was flaming, but she did 


TWO EXCITING EXPERIENCES 353 

not make any further protest, and in silence the 
party turned and slowly proceeded to the place 
where their coach was awaiting their return. 

^^Whew!^^ whispered Scott to Lee. ^^Did you 
ever see the like? That isnT the kind of a girl 
for me. Not much like the other girls, is she?^^ 

^‘1 should say not!^’ replied Lee, glancing, as 
he spoke, at the angry girl, the cause of all the 
trouble. ‘‘1 shouldnT call her exactly of the 
‘ivy vine' type," he added, a smile of amusement 
for a moment appearing on his face, now that the 
horror of the experience had safely passed. 

“What do you suppose she'll do next?" in- 
quired Scott. 

“I don't know, unless she puts on a bathing 
suit and insists upon a bath in the Yellowstone 
— just above the falls. She might try that, 
Scott, if you would suggest it to her." 

“I believe she would," replied Scott, laugh- 
ingly. “I think Mrs. Lawrence at least will 
remember the sight of her out on that rock when 
she has forgotten all about the canon and the 
falls." 

“She came right near to seeing a ‘fall' that 
was not on the programme," suggested Lee, 
dryly. 


354 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

They had now arrived at the coach, and all 
silently took their seats. The strain of the terror 
was gone now, and when the return was begun, 
the boys were in high spirits, although Mrs. Law- 
rence still showed the effect of her fright, and Miss 
Margaret showed no signs of abating her anger. 

^^DonT worry! Smile 1’^ suggested Larcum, 
lightly, to her. 

‘'That^s right retorted Miss Margaret, turn- 
ing to face the young traveller, who was seated 
directly behind her. That’s right. Don’t get 
scared! Grin!” she added, with a toss of her 
head. 

Her feelings were not relieved when the boys 
laughed at her somewhat ungracious retort. 

^H’m sick to death of your everlasting ^ Don’t 
worry ! Smile ! ’ Try to think up something new,” 
she said sharply. 

You’re the one to do that for us. Miss Mar- 
garet,” suggested Larcum; but the girl made no 
reply, and for a time the ride was continued in 
silence. 

Once more the driver halted his team on the 
return trip and explained that another magnifi- 
cent view of the canon could here be had, but only 
the boys responded, not even Miss Marga^ 


TWO EXCITING EXPERIENCES 357 

As the man at once stretched forth his hand 
to receive the hat which John had offered him, the 
boys turned back to their own coach. 

^^What did you do that for, Jack?^^ demanded 
Scott. 

^^Oh, he was too persuasive for me,^^ laughed 
John. ^^It was too sublime. It^s worth a hat 
just to strike such monumental assurance once in 
a lifetime. 

^^I^m afraid I shouldn't ^ strike^ it in just that 
way,’’ protested Scott. 

^^Very likely. Let me see, you are from New 
York, aren’t you?” 

^^Yes, sir, I am; but what has that to do with 
it?” 

^^Oh, I have noticed New Yorkers before. I’ve 
seen them on the elevated roads and in the trolley 
cars and they are the most ^willing’ crowd of 
men I ever saw.” 

''What do you mean? I don’t understand 
you.” 

"Sorry, Scott, you can’t see the point. What 
I mean is that whenever I’ve been in New York 
I’ve always noticed the willingness of New York 
men. They are perfectly willing ladies should 
stand in the street cars, and just as willing to 


358 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


keep the seats too, when the ladies are standing. 
Ever notice that?^^ 

As they had arrived now at the place where the 
coach was, Scott made no reply, and John was left 
in ignorance concerning his friend^s knowledge 
of the ^^willingness of New York men to which 
he had referred. 

After dinner the good humor even of Miss 
Margaret apparently was completely restored, 
and as no one referred to the exciting experience 
of the afternoon, the peace of the party was not 
disturbed that evening. As it had been decided 
to remain at the canon hotel for a day, plans were 
formed for two trips on the following day. Early 
in the morning arrangements were made to descend 
into the canon on horseback, Mrs. Lawrence 
being the only one to refuse to join the expedition. 
Miss Margaret insisted that her horse should be 
high-spirited, but as Mr. Lawrence and Larcum 
made all the arrangements, the horse which she 
mounted when the little cavalcade set forth on 
its journey was the ^^safest^’ of all. 

The ride into the depths of the canon was 
interesting, without being especially exciting, 
and the view of the falls, as the young people 
looked upward at the roaring, ^cumbling mass 


TWO EXCITING EXPERIENCES 355 


apparently being desirous of accompanying them 
as they sought the pathway and departed to obtain 
the view which the driver had described. 

Lacking in some of the impressive elements 
which Point Lookout had provided, the sight was 
nevertheless most impressive. On the opposite 
side, near the bed of the stream, they could discern 
bodies of men moving like pygmies along a trail 
which could be faintly traced. The falls, too, 
were more clearly seen, ^Hhe most beautiful in 
the world, as the guide-book had truthfully de- 
clared. 

Near them, the boys perceived their old-time 
acquaintance, Mr. Smith, who beamed upon them 
graciously as he became aware of their presence, 
but he quickly turned to the members of his own 
party, much to the relief of his former ^ Triends. 

At that moment he leaned out over the railing 
to call the attention of his companions to some 
sight in the valley below, and as he did so his hat 
was caught by the wind and instantly started 
on a swift descent into the abyss. The man 
clasped his head wildly, as if he was almost fearful 
that, too, was about to follow its recent covering, 
and the expression upon his face as he wildly 
watched his lisappearing head-gear caused all 


356 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWST^l 


the people that were watching him to smii. ■ •! 
from amusement than from sympathy. 

^^It^s gone! IV s gone!’^ exclaimed Mr. Smith, 
wildly. 

^^It did seem to be in some haste, suggested 
Scott, quietly. There it is, now,’^ he added, 
calling the attention of his friends to the hat, which 
still could be seen rolling swiftly down the pre- 
cipitous sides. ^Terhaps it will come back 
again. 

^^No, it wonT come back! 1^11 give a quarter 
to any one whodl get it for me.^’ 

Better not squander your money in such wan- 
ton extravagance,^’ suggested John, demurely. 

^^I’m not squandering it. It’s worth that,” 
replied Mr. Smith. ^‘1 don’t know where I’ll 
get another. I haven’t a thing to wear on my 
head.” 

^^I have a cap at the hotel,” said John. ^^You 
are welcome to that.” 

^^If you wouldn’t mind, I’d rather have a hat,” 
suggested Mr. Smith, quickly. 

For an instant John gazed at the man as if 
in admiration, then removing his own hat from 
his head he handed it to the man, saying he 
did so, '^Take it, Mr. Smith; I’ll wear my i , 


TWO EXCITING EXPERIENCES 361 


pushed over the edge. Far below he had one 
glimpse of the valley. His friends had all dis- 
appeared from sight and it was impossible to 
summon them to his aid. To dismount from the 
plunging animal was equally impossible, and for 
a moment it seemed to the desperate boy that 
everything was lost. His own horse refused to 
advance, and the mule, now crowded still closer 
to the border, caused its terrified rider to renew 
her screams. And Larcum, without a grasp on 
the bridle, was powerless to help. 


CHAPTER XXX 


ABOVE THE CLOUDS 

The frantic horse was kicking as well as plung- 
ing now, and in desperation Larcum flung his arms 
around the animal’s neck. His position was, to 
say the least, not dignified, but the peril of the 
moment banished from his mind all other thoughts 
save that of his own safety and the protection of 
the terrified woman on the back of the mule. 
Larcum’s experience with bucking bronchos” 
stood him in good stead in this crisis, and as an 
unusually savage plunge of his horse threw the 
rider slightly forward he instantly seized the bits, 
and with one savage yank almost threw the horse 
upon his side. The struggling animal made two 
desperate plunges, but the direction had been 
sufficiently changed to enable him to pass the mule, 
which, with ears laid back upon its head and with 
feet braced against a fall, had not stirred from its 
position on the brink. 


362 



In desperation Larcum flung his arms around the 
animal’s neck. — Pwje 362. 







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TWO EXCITING EXPERIENCES 359 


of glistening waters, was one that not one of the 
party could forget. The impressiveness of the 
canon itself was not quite so marked when they 
gazed upward upon the steep sides as when they 
had been standing upon Point Lookout and 
peered into the depths below, but it was, never- 
theless, marvellous in its impressiveness, and when 
the party started on the ascent, every one was 
more than pleased with the trip. 

Larcum’s horse, which had given him trouble 
on the way down, now began to display signs that 
caused his rider some uneasiness. Without ex- 
plaining the reasons for his action, Larcum had 
quietly dropped back until he was in the rear of 
the entire party. Although the young traveller 
was a skilled and at times daring rider, the nature 
of the road up which they were climbing caused 
Larcum to place himself where, if the animal 
he was riding should become fractious, he would 
have the path to himself, and his fears were slight 
that trouble would ensue in such an event. There 
were places where the road was narrow and the 
sides were precipitous, and stories were current 
of mishaps that had befallen careless riders. 

Slowly and steadily the party made its way up 
the trail until half the distance had been traversed. 


360 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


and Larcum was beginning to congratulate him- 
self that his fears had been groundless. He was 
now in a narrow part of the way, and around the 
bend in the road in advance of him most of his 
friends had already gone, when suddenly he per- 
ceived a woman approaching, riding on the back 
of a mule — doubtless some ^ ^ camper, he con- 
jectured. The sight was not unusual, for many 
such riders had been seen since he had entered 
the Park, and he spoke sharply to his horse, for 
he was eager to overtake the rest of the party. 

Suddenly, as the woman drew nearer, the mule 
on which she was riding stopped, and bracing 
itself emitted several prolonged and mournful 
hee-haws.’^ The effect on Larcum^s horse was 
instantaneous. Terrified by the heartrending 
sounds, the animal plunged forward, and the un- 
expected action snatched away the bridle which 
Larcum had been holding too loosely and care- 
lessly in his hand. 

The frantic horse, trembling in every limb, 
plunged and reared, and, beside itself with ten’or, 
crowded the mule and its rider close to the edge 
of the precipitous slope below the roadway. The 
frightened woman screamed, and for an instant 
it seemed to Larcum that both of them must be 


ABOVE THE CLOUDS 


363 


Instantly finding himself free from the presence 
r of the animal which had so frightened him, the 
horse broke into a mad run as he dashed up the 
I steep incline. Larcum was aware that the climb 
would of itself soon exhaust the madly running 
y beast he was riding, and for a time the young 

I traveller simply devoted himself to maintaining 

: his seat. When the pace slackened a little, Lar- 

cum, clinging with one arm to the neck of his 
horse, reached forward and grasped the bridle 
■ with his free hand. The rein was beneath the 

‘ horse^s head, but Larcum threw himself back 

! with all his might, at the same time pulling 

savagely on the rein, and as the horse^s head was 
by this means drawn toward his feet, the animal 
stumbled and fell. 

Lightly and much more quickly than an ob- 
server would have believed possible for a rider of 
the great size of Larcum, he leaped to the ground, 
and before the plunging animal could gain his free- 
dom the rein was seized and the struggle was 
ended. 

With a great sigh of relief over his escape, Lar- 
cum quickly tied his horse to a near-by tree and then 
' began to run swiftly back toward the place where 

' ho had left the terrified woman and the mule. 





364 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


When he returned, however, he was unable to 
perceive her anywhere, and at last concluding 
that she must have gone on down the trail, he 
made his way back to his own horse and, remount- 
ing, resumed his ride up the steep incline. The 
horse appeared to be entirely subdued by his 
recent experiences, and without any further ad- 
ventures Larcum not long afterward arrived 
at the hotel, where for some time his friends had 
been awaiting his coming. They were all stand- 
ing near the end of the piazza, while the girls 
were again petting the fawn, which was licking 
a piece of candy that Miss Kate was holding 
out to it. 

As Larcum rode up and dismounted, the ap- 
pearance of his horse, which was as wet as if the 
animal had been plunged into the Yellowstone 
River, caused one of the boys to shout: say, 

Larc, what^s happened? It^s a shame to treat 
a horse that way ! DonT you remember what 
Miss Kate said, that all the beasts in the Yellow- 
stone were protected except the horses?” 

I reckon any horse would be wet that had to 
carry a fellow like Larc up that mountain side,” 
said Lee, with a laugh. ^'Larc hasnT been riding 
too fast, 1^11 vouch for that. He^s a good twenty 


ABOVE THE CLOUDS 


365 


minutes behind us all, and we didn^t lose any 
breath on account of the pace we made/^ 

Larcum, however, did not make any response 
to the queries of his friends, but as the hostler 
approached to take charge of the horse, the young 
rider turned savagely to him and demanded, 
^'What did you give me that kind of a horse 
for 

What^s the matter with the horse ?” responded 
the man, a sly grin appearing on his face for a 
moment as he spoke. 

^^What^s the matter with him?^’ retorted Lar- 
cum, angrily. ^^He^s not fit for a man to use! 
IVe seen fool horses before, but this one^s the 
worst of all.” 

^'Did he throw you?” the man inquired, with 
apparent sympathy. 

^^No, he didn^t Hhrow^ me I But he was scared 
out of his wits by the bray of a mule back there 
in the road, and almost drove the mule and the 
woman that was riding it off into the canon. 
That^s what he did.” 

You said you wanted a good horse,” suggested 
the man. 

^^Well, I didn’t get it, if I did say I wanted it.” 

That’s one of the best horses in the stable. 


366 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


That^s our prize kicking broncho. We had him 
show off for Roosevelt when he was here.^^ 

^^He thought you were big enough to be Presi- 
dent, Larc — that^s all/^ suggested Scott, demurely. 

^^You wait till I tell you about it,^^ responded 
Larcum, somewhat grimly, and he at once related 
what had befallen him on the ascent. Even the 
hostler appeared to be somewhat impressed by 
the tale, and as soon as he could do so without 
being observed led the horse away to the stable. 

congratulate you, Larcum, said Mr. Law- 
rence, warmly. You had a very narrow escape.^^ 
wasn’t thinking so much about that as I 
was about that woman. I should think you 
would have heard her squeals even up here. And 
it did look for a little while as if nothing could 
keep her from going over.” 

Well, Larc, don’t worry ! Smile !” said Scott, 
lightly. 

''Oh, it’s all right now,” replied Larcum, some- 
what mollified. "But I wouldn’t go through 
that again for ten thousand worlds.” 

"How about eleven thousand, Larc? Would 
that be any inducement?” inquired Lee. 

The young traveller laughed, and the party at 
once sought their rooms to prepare for luncheon. 


ABOVE THE CLOUDS 


367 


ordered an early luncheon/^ explained Mr. 
Lawrence, when his friends had assembled in the 
private dining room which he had fortunately 
secured. ^^We can go up Mt. Washburn this 
afternoon, or if you prefer, we can go over to 
Artistes Point. That, as you know, is almost 
directly opposite Point Lookout, on the other side 
of the canon. 

wonder why they call it Artistes Point,’^ said 
Miss Jean. 

'^That was the spot selected by Moran, when 
he painted his great picture of the canon. The 
picture itself is in Washington.^’ 

^^Now?” inquired Miss Kate. 

^^Yes, so I understand,” replied her father. 

^^We must see it the very next time we are 
there,” exclaimed the girl. 

don’t want to interfere, and I’m ready for 
any plan that suits the others,” said Scott, ^^but 
for my part I’m satisfied with the reahty and 
don’t care so much for a picture.” 

^^He’s afraid he’d find the aged Simeon there 
with spectacles on,” laughed Lee ; ^^or maybe he’d 
run across Peter’s soldier having a blunderbus in 
his hands.” 

As the boys all laughed at Lee’s reference, 


368 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTC \ E 

Scott was compelled to explain. ^‘1 was trying to 
tell these fellows/^ he said, something about the 
pictures I^d seen in Europe, and I happened to 
refer to a few that showed some anachronisms — ” 

^^Oh, say that word again, Scott ! Please do 
interrupted Lee. Then turning to John, he added : 
^^Got that word. Jack? ThaPs a good one for 
you.’’ 

^^The word’s all right for those who are capable 
of appreciating it,” laughed Scott, as he resumed 
his story. 

'^It’s a long ride up Mt. Washburn,” explained 
Mr. Lawrence, when Scott ceased. There is a 
special kind of light wagon in use, I understand, 
or one can go up on horseback if he prefers.” 

^^Get ahorse for Larc,” suggested Lee, eagerly, 
^^but be sure to get one with a gentle, antique 
gait. Better get a side-saddle for him, too, if 
they have such a thing out here.” 

^^Mt. Washburn it is then,” assented Mr. 
Lawrence. ^^And we must start at once.” 

The peculiar kind of wagon” to which Mr. 
Lawrence had referred was secured for himself 
and Mrs. Lawrence and the two girls, but Miss 
Margaret insisted upon having a horse, as the 
boys did also, and with the understanding that 


ABOVE THE CLOUDS 369 

all were to keep well together, the start was soon 
made. 

The long climb was at last successfully com- 
pleted, and without any incident of special interest 
the party arrived at the summit, and as they gazed 
about them a silence fell upon the entire group. 
Ten thousand three hundred and eighty-eight 
feet above the level of the sea, and nearly five 
thousand feet above the valley below, the view 
was one of imposing grandeur. A hundred and 
fifty miles away snow-capped or barren peaks of 
the Rockies rose like ant-hills. Beneath, on the 
sloping sides of the mountains, the dark green 
of the forests of spruce and pine, on which the 
afternoon sun was falling, softened the rugged- 
ness and the barren aspect of the towering hills. 
Here and there could be seen the shining waters 
of streams and waterfalls. Yellowstone Lake and 
the Yellowstone River, starting on its long journey 
of more than six thousand miles to the sea, were 
clearly discerned. Even the depths of the abyss 
into which, in the early hours of the morning, 
they had themselves descended could also be 
clearly seen. For a long time the members of 
the party in silence, wonderfully impressed by 
the ever inspiring sight, — ^Hhe most wonderful 


370 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


in the world/’ the guide-book declared, — gazeii at 
the heights and depths ; but the reaction speedily 
came, and the characteristic inability of Young 
America long to be reverent reasserted itself. 

^^Miss Kate,” said Scott, soberly, ^^do you know 
why they can’t bring any barrels up here?” 

should think they could bring them if they 
wanted to. Why can’t they?” she inquired. 

^^On account of the wind.” 

^'What has the wind to do with it?” 

Blows the bung-holes out of the barrels just 
as fast as they are brought up here. Can’t build 
any houses either. The wind just blows the 
cellars right out from under them. Why, it 
blows the keyholes out of the doors, and the eyes 
out of the needles. Can’t anybody do any sewing 
at all up here. I’ve heard, too, that even the 
knot-holes in boards can’t stand against it.” 

don’t see how the wind could blow out a 
knot-hole,” said Miss Kate, seriously; ^‘1 don’t 
understand that. Why, there would just be a 
larger — ” 

A shout of laughter greeted the sober assertion 
of the matter-of-fact girl, and then all turned into 
the downward road. 

It was dark when the party arrived at the 


ABOVE THE CLOUDS 


371 


hotel, and so wearied was every one by the exer- 
tions of the day that soon after dinner they all 
sought their rooms. 

An early breakfast was obtained on the follow- 
ing morning, but early as were the members of 
our party at the dining room, the room itself was 
filled when they took their seats at the table. 

thought we should avoid the crowd if we 
remained over a day,^^ said Mr. Lawrence, as he 
glanced about him. 

^^That^s what every one seemed to think, too,^^ 
suggested Scott. ^^They^re all here, and every 
one is hurrying, too.^^ 

^^Yes, the order of the coaches changes now. 
On the way back to the Springs, ^it^s first come, 
first served^; only no coach is allowed to pass 
another on the road.^^ 

^^Did you tell our driver to be prompt?’’ in- 
quired Mrs. Lawrence. 

^‘1 did. There he comes now,” said Mr. 
Lawrence, as the coach drew up in front of the 
hotel. 

Hastily the breakfast was completed, and in a 
brief time the party had taken their seats, and 
with a loud snapping of the driver’s whip the 
return was begun, even the horses appearing to 


372 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONi 


be aware of the fact that they were homew rd 
bound. 

good many of the excursionists stayed over, 
too, I hear,^^ said John, ^^and then there’s another 
big party on its way to Monida. There will be 
a rush for seats at the tables when we stop at 
Norris’s Basin.” 

We’re in the first coach. Jack, so don’t let 
that worry you,” laughed Larcum. You’ll get 
something to eat. Don’t worry! Smile!” 

^^This is enough to make any one smile,” said 
Miss Margaret. ^^Oh, do look there! Just see 
that huge creature ! ” she added excitedly, point- 
ing, as she spoke, to an immense bear that could 
be seen among the trees only a few yards back 
from the road. 

Instantly every one in the party looked in the 
direction in which the girl had pointed, and 
bruin at that moment rose and moved a few feet 
farther back into the forest, but his fear mani- 
festly was not great, and he soon stopped and 
gazed stupidly at the passing coach. 

^^My ! but he’s a big fellow !” exclaimed John. 
^Mt’s the biggest one we’ve seen.” 

^^Your horses don’t seem to mind him, driver,” 
called Mr. Lawrence. have always understood 


ABOVE THE CLOUDS 


373 


that the sight or scent of a bear made a horse 
frantic/^ 

^^No, sir/’ responded the driver. ^^Our horses 
don’t pay much attention to them. I never saw 
any get very badly scared.” 

^'They’re too tired, poor things,” suggested 
Miss Kate. suppose they’re afraid to show 
any fear. ^All the animals in the Park protected 
except the horses,’” she added. 

The bear could no longer be seen, and the 
steady gait at which the four horses were moving 
soon brought the party into the very midst of a 
beautiful and stately grove of spruce, the trees 
appearing as if they had been trimmed by the 
hands of man. 

^^This is Christmas Tree Park,” explained the 
driver. ^Mt’s a fine — ” 

The driver stopped abruptly as there came a 
hail from a surrey behind him. 

^^Let us pass,” called the rear driver. We’ve 
got a sick woman here, and we’re trying to make 
time.” 

The driver of our party hesitated a moment, 
for the request was for something which was 
strictly forbidden by the rules of the Park. How- 
ever, at Mr. Lawrence’s suggestion, he drew to 


374 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


one side, and the surrey speedily passed. A 
woman on the rear seat was leaning against the 
man beside her, with every evidence of suffering. 
As the wagon passed, John quickly turned to 
his friends and said: ^^Did you see who that man 
was? It was Mr. Smith. I tell you, fellows, 
there^s a colored individual in the woodpile some- 
where, you mark my words 


CHAPTER XXXI 


TKICKED 

The suspicion of John was not shared by his 
companions, for his feeling of intense dislike for 
the smug Mr. Smith was well known by them all, 
and was looked upon mostly as an unreasonable 
prejudice on his part. The interest in the ride 
soon banished even from the mind of John 
Adams Field, Jr., thoughts of the party that had 
passed, and when at last the coach halted on the 
brow of Virginia Hill, every one was intent upon 
the descent that was about to be made. 

The road led close to the border of steep, pre- 
cipitous sides that extended into the valley far 
below. There were bends and curves in the 
road, too, that shut out the sight of approaching 
pack-horses and wagons, and the peril, if any 
vehicles of that character should be met, would 
be vastly increased in an attempt to pass. Men 
376 


376 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOW ST 0.^ 


were working upon the road, which was e 
places, and it was manifest that the government 
was not unmindful of the danger in the descent 
of the famous hill. 

want that big fellow up here in front, 
called the driver, nodding his head at Larcum as 
he spoke. 

Larcum obediently left his seat and exchanged 
places with Lee, who had been seated beside the 
driver. He could see the timidity of his fellow- 
travellers, as for a moment Larcum glanced be- 
hind him at his friends, and he was aware, too, 
that the driver was not without anxiety also, for 
the man^s face was drawn and he carefully 
gathered the reins in his hands. 

In a moment, as soon as he was convinced that 
all things were in readiness, the driver spoke to 
his horses, that apparently were almost as nervous 
as the passengers in the coach, braced himself 
firmly as he threw his entire weight against the 
brake, and the exciting descent was begun. 
Whenever the driver approached a bend in the 
road, he uttered a loud halloo to warn any un- 
seen parties that might be approaching of his 
coming. Once a heavily laden wagon drawn by 
eight mules was indeed met, and though the girls 


TRICKED 


377 


clung to their seats and watched the driver with 
bated breath, the passing was accomplished with- 
out any mishap and the descent was continued. 
At times the wheels of the lumbering coach were 
within a few feet of the edge of the road, and no 
one could speak until the place had been safely 
passed, and even then the words of the boys 
seemed to betray chiefly a sense of relief. 

The foot of the long hill was at last gained, 
and as the coach swung swiftly along the level 
stretch of road, the spirits of the young people 
found quick response to the sense of renewed 
safety as they broke forth into songs and laughter. 

^^That^s the last bad spot in the road/^ said 
the driver. 

^^Down grade all the rest of the way?^’ in- 
quired Larcum. 

^^Oh, it^s first up and then down. Still, I sup- 
pose weTe seven hundred feet or so above the 
Springs. You donT notice it very much, though.^^ 

When the party at last arrived at the luncheon 
station at Norris’s Basin, and stepped out upon 
the piazza, they at once discovered Mr. Smith 
seated beside his recent patient” in near-by 
chairs. Whatever the malady of the unfortunate 
lady may have been, to all appearances she had 


378 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELL0 ‘ STONE 


entirely recovered from its effects, x. . : !> was I 

laughing and chatting with her companion as they I 
watched with interest the arrival of our friends, i 

^^What did I tell you?^’ demanded John, as J 
he turned to the boys, when he discovered who , 
the two people were. There’s something wrong 
here, and we’ll find it out pretty soon, too. I 
don’t know what it is, but it’s here, whatever it 
is. Just see, they’re about the only ones that 
have come as yet.” 

^^All right. Suppose they are? What of it. 
Jack?” demanded Larcum, lightly. ^ 

Just wait,” was John’s reply, as Mr. Lawrence 
approached them and said, ^^Boys, we’d better go 
right into the dining room and get our luncheon. 
It’s only half-past eleven, but there is such a 
crowd behind us that we must not wait. So just 
as soon as you are ready we’ll go in. I’ll secure 
our tickets while you are washing.” 

When the boys rejoined their friends, who were 
awaiting them on the piazza, the expression on 
Miss Kate’s face caused Larcum to laugh and 
say: What’s wrong? Sorry you’re leaving?” 

^^No, I’m glad. At least I feel so just now. Do 
you know every seat at the first and second 
tables has been reserved ?” she demanded angrily. 


TRICKED 


379 


^^No. You don’t mean it/’ replied Larcum. 

‘^Yes, I do mean it!” retorted Miss Kate, 
warmly. ^^And the room won’t be opened for 
half an hour yet, either ! Father tried to get 
tickets for us. The clerk said that the man you 
call Mr. Smith had all the tickets for the first 
two tables.” 

''There!” exclaimed John. "That’s what it 
meant ! He got past us by saying he had a sick 
woman in that surrey, and he has come on ahead 
and got every ticket for those excursionists.” 

"His invalid seems to be feeling better,” laughed 
Scott, as he glanced at the woman seated beside 
Mr. Smith. "Prospect of a luncheon does her 
good.” 

"I wish I was a physician,” said Larcum, 
grimly. "I!d like to prescribe for her, and for 
the man that tricked us, too.” 

"What would you prescribe, Larc?” de- 
manded John, lightly. 

"A good strong mustard plaster, for one thing 
— one that would draw. I think if there ever was 
a man that needed a counter-irritant, that fellow 
ought to have the best one that has ever been 
invented. Lee, where are you going?” he asked 
in surprise, as his friend suddenly left them and 


380 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


started directly toward the place where Mr. 
Smith and the invalid were seated. 

Lee did not respond to the hail, and apparently 
unaware of the interest his departure had aroused 
or that his friends were intently watching him, 
he at once approached Mr. Smith, and said: — 
understand you have secured all the seats 
at the first two tables, suh.^’ 

'^Yes, I have,’^ replied the man, his face beam- 
ing as he spoke. 

^^Well, suh, I should like to have you sell me 
enough for our party.^^ 

^^Oh, I can^t do that. I can’t really,” said Mr. 
Smith, hastily. 

Why not, suh ? There are ladies in our party, 
and we were almost the first ones here. We 
would have been first if we had not turned out 
to permit you to pass us. How is the lady now ? ” 
Lee inquired, lifting his cap and bowing before 
the lady in question. 

^^Oh, I’m better, much better, thank you,” 
replied the lady, in some confusion. And yet there 
was a smile upon her face which seemed to indi- 
cate that her part in the deception had not 
troubled her seriously. 

congratulate you,” said Lee, quietly. 


TRICKED 


381 


heard some one say that if you were still suffering, 
he thought he might prescribe for you.’^ 

“Thank you, I am quite recovered now,^^ the 
woman replied, glancing smilingly at Mr. Smith 
as she spoke. 

“Now, Mr. Smith,^^ said Lee, turning sharply to 
the man, “will you let me have the meal tickets 
I asked for?^^ 

“I^m sorry, but I canT do it,^^ replied Mr. 
Smith, shaking his head. 

“Will you let me have enough for the ladies?” 

“I canT do that, either. You see I bought 
them for—” 

“Yes, suh, you bought them for that excursion 
party. I know all about it, suh. Idl pay you 
twice the commission the leader of it gave you.” 

The man hesitated a moment, but the woman 
by his side shook her head slightly, an action 
which did not escape Lee and only served to 
increase his anger. 

“Very well, suh,” said Lee. He spoke quietly, 
but a bright red spot appeared on each cheek, 
and it was evident that he restrained himself 
with great difficulty. “I think this is a great 
note,” he said warmly. “Here we are in the 
second coach and would have been first if we had 


382 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


not yielded to you — and your trick ; and the 
rule of the Park is that the order of the return is 
^first come first served/ I fancy if we report it 
to the superintendent and tell him about the 
trick that excursion man bribed you to — 

‘^You don’t know there was any trick/’ in- 
terrupted the man; but his manner convinced 
Lee that his words had produced some effect. 

As the young traveller glanced behind him, he 
could see a long line of coaches in the road, and 
was aware that in a few minutes the excursionists 
would be upon him in full force. What he was to 
do must be done quickly, and turning once more 
to Mr. Smith, he said in a low voice, ^^Will you 
sell me nine tickets?” 

For a moment the man hesitated; then rising 
from his chair, he said hastily, ^Tome out here 
behind the hotel, and I’ll see what — ” 

^M’ll come nowhere, suh!” broke in Lee, 
warmly. ^^Will you let me have the tickets?” 

^M’m sorry, but I can’t do it,” replied Mr. 
Smith, doggedly, glancing first at his companion 
and then looking apprehensively at the approach- 
ing coaches. 

Thank you, suh! Good-day, suh ! ” and Lee 
hfted his cap and at once returned to his friends. 


TRICKED 


383 


'^Don’t worry ! Smile! Lee/' laughed Scott. 
^^You look as if you had lost your last friend." 

^^That man is no gentleman/' began Lee. 

'^Did you think he was?" inquired John, as 
the boys, much to their friend's annoyance, all 
laughed. 

had my suspicions," replied Lee, ruefully. 

^^One meets people of every sort and kind 
when he's travelling," said Mr. Lawrence. ^^There 
is nothing in the world that shows what a man 
really is as travel does, for he acts out his true 
self then. But a successful traveller has to learn 
to put up with all kinds." 

We've ^put up' with this kind for the last 
time this trip!" said Larcum, warmly, as Lee 
related his conversation with the man. ^Tome 
on, let's get some chairs before they're all taken. 
Perhaps he's reserved them, too," he added, as he 
perceived that Mr. Smith had drawn a half-dozen 
unoccupied seats about him. Seemingly ignoring 
the attempt, however, Scott and Larcum ran to 
the chairs, and noisily calling to their friends as 
they did so, apparently were not aware of the 
anger manifested by the recent invalid at their 
actions. They each carried two chairs, and so 
secured seats for the ladies of their party. It 


384 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


was too late, however, to secure more, for the 
rush had now come, and every seat on the piazza 
was seized by the members of the excursion 
party. 

The desolation of the scene which Norrises 
Basin presented was even more impressive than 
when the young travellers had first beheld it. 
Steam was issuing from many places in the white 
formation, and the spouting geysers in the distance 
emphasized the barren aspect of the lifeless 
region. No vegetation could be seen, and the 
trunks of trees outside the barren tract were 
many of them dead and discolored by the escaping 
gases. The thought of luncheon was too keen to 
permit the boys long to be quiet, and soon Lar- 
cum and Scott arose and began to pace back and 
forth on the piazza and frequently to peer within 
the crowded dining room. 

Their patience (or impatience) was at last re- 
warded, and after the party had joined the waiting 
throng in front of the doors, they were admitted 
and speedily secured seats. The quality of the 
food which was served in a measure atoned for 
the long delay, and when the party withdrew 
from the room, there was not one whose good 
humor had not been completely restored. 


TRICKED 


385 


^^How much time have we, Mr. Lawrence, 
before our coach starts?” inquired John. 

‘^About three-quarters of an hour,” replied Mr. 
Lawrence, after he had looked at his watch. 

^^Then we have time enough to take a walk 
over the formation,” said John. ^^I^m going to 
do it, for I don’t expect to come this way again 
very soon.” 

All the young people at once declared that they 
would go with him, but Mrs. Lawrence pleaded 
weariness, and said she would wait for them on 
the piazza. 

^^Be sure to be back on time, and be careful 
what you do,” she called warningly as the party 
started toward the narrow board-walk. 

The girls laughingly assured her that there 
^^was no danger,” and in high spirits they were 
soon, in single file, moving across the narrow 
pathway. 

''I wonder if there really is any danger,” said 
Miss Margaret, who was in the rear of the party, 
just behind Lee. 

There sure is. Just see how thin the crust 
is.” 

^^I’ve a mind to try it, an5rway.” 

''Don’t you do it!” exclaimed Lee, quickly. 


386 FOUR BOYS IN THV YKU.OWSTONE 


He too had now stopped twA sonir-.vliHt 
anxiously watching the impulsive girl. 

shall do it!^^ exclaimed Miss Margaret, with 
a laugh, and she immediately stepped out on the 
glaring surface. There! See? It’s perfectly 
safe!” she exclaimed as she moved a short dis- 
tance from the walk and stamped her foot to test 
the strength of the crust. ^^Oh, do see that 
cunning little ^geeser’ over there!” she added 
as she pointed to a tiny spring a few yards dis- 
tant. ^H’m going to look into it.” And at once 
she moved forward. 

Lee watched her nervously, yet still not 
seriously troubled, for he did not believe the crust 
would break beneath her. Her actions were fool- 
hardy, and he was more angry than alarmed at 
her perversity. 

^^Come here, Lee,” Miss Margaret called, as 
she bent over the spring. ^^This is a little beauty. 
You must see it !” 

Lifting her head to look at her friend, she took 
a step backward, and the thin crust yielded to her 
weight. A piercing scream instantly halted the 
members of the party that were in advance, and 
without delaying an instant Lee leaped to the 
aid of the terrified girl. 


CHAPTER XXXII 


HOMEWARD BOUND 

When Miss Margaret had partly turned about 
to bid her friend join her, she had not perceived' 
a tiny pool behind her whose boiling waters were 
noiseless. Around the border of this little spring 
the crust was particularly thin and extended 
several inches out over the water, but as the 
eager, thoughtless girl had not observed the 
spring itself, she was ignorant of the condition of 
the crust as well. When she had stepped back- 
ward, the fragile hme yielded to the pressure, and 
one of the girhs feet was instantly in the boiling 
water, as by a violent effort she threw herself 
forward upon the formation. 

The piercing screams that came from the lips 
of the terrified girl startled every one within 
hearing, but Lee, who instantly had sprung to 
her assistance, assisted her to stand before any 
one could come. 


387 


388 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


“Oh, my foot! My foot!^^ moaned tiie girl. 
“It^s burned. I can^t stand on it.’^ 

Sobbing and evidently suffering intens ' > • • 
Miss Margaret was assisted by Lee back lo tne 
board-walk, and the other boys of the party ran 
swiftly to their assistance, leaving Miss Kate and 
her sister to return as best they might. 

“What is it?^’ demanded Larcum, who was 
the first to arrive. 

“She has scalded her foot,^^ replied Lee, quickly. 
“Wefil have to carry her back.^^ 

At Lee^s suggestion he and Larcum made a 
“ chair of their hands, and Miss Margaret was 
soon being carried back toward the hotel. The 
news of her mishap evidently had preceded her 
coming, for as the boys carried the sobbing girl 
up the steps of the piazza, a crowd had already 
assembled there and gazed curiously at her, 
some with expressions of pity upon their faces, 
and some muttering that “it had served her 
right. 

Whatever the justice of the complaint may 
have been, there was no disguising the fact that 
the girl was suffering intensely. Acting upon 
the suggestion of Mrs. Lawrence, the boys carried 
their burden to a room which was at once placed 


HOMEWARD BOUND 


389 


at their disposal, and carefully laid the suffer- 
ing girl upon the couch. 

Turning hastily to Mrs. Lawrence, Lee said, 
^^Wedl go out and see if we can find a doctor 
anywhere.^^ 

Running from the room, they began to make 
inquiries among the tourists, but there was not 
a physician to be found. Still excited, the boys 
hastened back to the room where they had left 
Miss Margaret, but they were met at the door by 
Mr. Lawrence. 

^Tould you find a physician, boys?^^ he in- 
quired quickly. 

^^No, sir. There isnT one here,’^ replied 
Larcum. 

am sorry; but Mrs. Lawrence is not helpless 
even if she has no doctor to tell her what to do. 
She^s a natural nurse.’^ 

^^Is Miss Margaret badly scalded?^' inquired 
Lee. 

fear that she is quite severely burned. We 
cannot tell just yet, but if we should be compelled 
to remain here with her, you boys of course must 
take the coach and go on to the Springs. Your 
plans must not be broken up just because ours 
chance to be.’^ 


390 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONj 

The boys withdrew and sought their fri 
who, unable to afford any assistance, had v 
remained upon the piazza. The return of Lar- 
cum and Lee was the signal for many questions, 
not only from their friends, but from the interested 
excursionists as well. Lee explained to his 
friends how the accident had occurred, but he 
did not feel called upon to do more than make 
a general response to the eager queries of the 
strangers, many of whom now crowded about 
him. 

^^Served her right,’^ exclaimed one thin-visaged 
woman, tartly. “I hear she dared you to jump 
as far from the walk as she could. Is that so?” 
she demanded of Lee. 

“I did not hear her,” replied Lee, quietly. 

^Toor girl !” said another woman, elbowing her 
way through the crowd, and approaching Larcum. 
^^Is there anything we can do for her?” 

Thank you. I think she is being cared for,” 
responded Larcum, with a smile. 

hear it took all the flesh right off the bones 
of her foot. Did it?” inquired another. 

think not. I do not know yet. We canT 
tell just how badly she was burned. It^s bad 
enough, anyway,” said Larcum. 


HOMEWARD BOUND 


391 


say, boys,’^ said a man behind them, and as 
the young travellers turned about at the hail, 
they perceived their former guest,” Mr. Smith, 
standing there, ^^do you think youdl have to 
stay here at Norrises Basin long?” 

Larcum glanced at Scott, a twinkle of amuse- 
ment appearing for a moment in his eyes, and 
then he rephed, can’t tell you, Mr. Smith.” 

'^One of the young ladies has met with an 
accident, I hear.” 

^^Yes, sir.” 

^^Will it delay you long?” 

^^Of course we can’t tell yet.” 

^'You don’t know then just when you will 
leave Livingston?” 

^^Not exactly.” 

^^About when do you expect to start?” 

^Mt all depends. We are hoping to get away 
in a day or two.” 

That’s too bad. I have to go on to Butte to 
see about some mining stock, and I was hoping 
that I might have the pleasure of your company 
on my return. I enjoyed it very much on my 
way out.” 

^^Did you?” inquired Larcum, dryly. 

''T did indeed. I may be able to return to- 


392 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 

morrow or the day following/^ suggested Mr. 
Smith. 

We want very much to leave to-night/^ replied 
Larcum, promptly. 

‘'li the young lady is not able to return, you 
will of course wait a day or so for her?^' 

^^She does not belong to our party. We were 
just together in the Park, that^s all.’^ 

^^Well, good-by, boys,^^ said Mr. Smith, extend- 
ing his hand as he spoke. shall hope to see 
you soon. It would be a great pleasure.^' 

^^The pleasure is all yours, said Larcum, 
soberly. 

As soon as Mr. Smith was gone, Scott exclaimed : 
^^That man is the most wonderful sight weVe 
seen on this trip. Do you remember how we 
were arguing back there in Wendell, when Larc 
first suggested this trip to us? Whether weM 
rather see first what man has done or what nature 
has done?^^ 

^^Yes. What of it?’’ inquired John. 

^^Oh, nothing; but I don’t know but I am 
convinced now. I’ve seen Niagara, the Great 
Lakes, the Prairies, the Geysers, the Rocky 
Mountains, the Yellowstone Falls, the Yellow- 
stone Canon, and Mt. Washburn, but I haven’t 


HOMEWARD BOUND 


393 


seen anything to compare with Mr. Smith. I hope 
never to see him again. 

don^t know ^bout that/^ laughed Lee. 
he^s half as great a sight as you say he is, we 
ought not to want to lose track of him. Is he 
ahead of the aged Simeon — 

'^Oh, don’t bother the old man now,” inter- 
rupted John. am hke Scott, but what I can’t 
understand is how the man ever fastened himself 
upon us as he did, and why it was we simply 
couldn’t get rid of him.” 

can’t either,” spoke up Larcum, quickly. 

Nor did the young travellers understand until 
after their arrival at home, when their fathers 
explained. However, Mr. Smith was not seen by 
them again, and there was no one to interfere 
with their freedom or pleasure throughout their 
homeward journey. 

Soon after Mr. Smith departed, Mr. Lawrence 
returned and said to the boys : think Margaret 

will be able to be taken back to the Springs. I 
am confident we shall have to remain there with 
her and give up our trip to the Pacific.” 

That’s too bad!” said Scott, quickly. “And 
all because she wouldn’t do what she was told. 
Spoiled the whole trip for you 1” 


394 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


^^Not quite so bad as that/^ replied Mr. Law- 
rence. can^t be helped now. I think we 
can start for the Springs in half an hour. I 
don^t want you boys to miss your train to-night. 
It would keep you over another day, if you should 
lose it.” 

When Mr. Lawrence went back into the hotel, 
John said, ‘‘1 wonder if that girl will really learn 
anything from her accident.” 

^ Accident M ^Accident’!” retorted Scott. 
^^You don^t call what happened to her an ^ acci- 
dent,^ do you?” 

^^What do you call it, Scott?” demanded 
John. 

^‘1 don^t know just what to call it, but what- 
ever it was, it wasn^t something which just ^hap- 
pened.' There were danger signs posted all along, 
the walk. Lee tried to keep her back, but she 
just went straight ahead and walked right into 
that boiling water.” 

'Terhaps she'll change now,” suggested Lee, 
lightly. 

^ ^ ' Change ' ! ^ Change ' ! Can the leopard 

change his spots or the Eth — ” 

^'Bigger changes than that have occurred,” 
broke in John, dryly. 


HOMEWARD BOUND 


395 


like to have you tell me one — just one/’ 
demanded Scott, warmly. 

^^Well, I’ll do it since you insist upon it,” 
drawled John. heard of an epitaph the other 
day that beats the leopard’s spots. Yes, sir. 
Even the Ethiopian’s skin could be changed 
more easily than — ” 

^^Epitaph!” sniffed Scott. wasn’t talking 
about dead people.” 

^‘1 wasn’t either,” said John, soberly. ^^This 
epitaph was not about what had taken place after 
death. It was just up to that time.” 

^^Well, what was it?” demanded Scott. 

^^It was about a woman by the name of Mann,” 
rephed John. ^^4nd this was the way it ran: — ‘ 

‘ Here lies the body of Anna Mann, 

She lived an old maid 
And died an old Mann. ’ ’ ^ 

^^Find that in Boston, Jack?” demanded 
Scott, as the others laughed. 

^^I found it — Here comes our coach, fellows !” 
John abruptly declared. ''We must go up and 
see what we can do to help Mrs. Lawrence and 
Miss Margaret.” 

All the boys ran lightly up the stairway, and 
Larcum and Scott soon were carrying Miss 


396 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


Margaret down to the waiting coach. Her face 
was drawn by her suffering, but she made no 
complaint, and consequently the sympathy of 
the boys became more manifest than it had 
been before. The girl was carefully lifted to her 
seat in the coach, and as soon as she had been 
made as comfortable as circumstances permitted, 
the last part of the long ride through Yellowstone 
Park was begun — the ride back to the hotel at 
Mammoth Hot Springs. 

The suffering girl was silent, seldom uttering a 
complaint throughout the long ride, and her un- 
expected patience, as well as the knowledge that 
she was all the time in great pain, made the 
others in the party silent also. 

At last the hotel appeared in sight, and as soon 
as the coach halted in front of the piazza the 
boys leaped out, and two of them carefully lifted 
Miss Margaret in their arms and carried her to 
the room which Mr. Lawrence quickly secured. 
A search was then made for a physician, and 
fortunately one was soon found, who at once 
visited Miss Margaret in her room. 

A half-hour afterward Mr. Lawrence returned 
to the boys, who were still in the office, and said 
quietly: ^^Well, boys, we shall have to give up 


HOMEWARD BOUND 


397 


our trip to the Pacific, or postpone it anyway. 
The doctor says Margaret must not be moved for 
several days. She was severely burned.” 

too bad,” said Scott, quickly. ^^It was 
her fault, too.” 

too bad, as you say,” replied Mr. Lawrence, 
quietly, ^^but that does not change matters. 
Margaret seems to be very much broken up over 
the trouble she has caused, and if she learns 
the lesson, perhaps the price we have to pay will 
not be wasted. At all events, we have seen the 
Park, and that experience cannot be lost. The 
only thing we can do now is to make use of the 
expression I have heard you frequently quote, — 
^DonT worry ! Smile ! ’ ” 

^Ms there anything we can do, Mr. Lawrence?” 
inquired Larcum. 

^^Not a thing. You must go over to Gardner 
to-night, and take the train just as you planned 
to do.” 

When the coaches were about to start for the 
station, after the boys had been upstairs to say 
good-by to Miss Margaret and Mrs. Lawrence, 
they were delighted to have Mr. Lawrence say: 
^^Kate and Jean and I will go over to Gardner 
with you. WeVe had a long ride to-day, but 


398 FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE 


the girls declare they are not tired and want to 
go over to the station/^ 

^^Good! Good!’^ exclaimed Larcum, and at 
once they returned to the piazza. 

In a brief time all seven had secured seats on 
top of one of the coaches, and despite the fact of 
their previous long ride through the Park there 
did not appear to be any abatement in their 
interest. They laughed and sang and pointed 
out familiar spots along the way, and when at 
last they stood on the platform of the station at 
Gardner, they were greeted warmly by Henry 
and George, who were waiting to take their suit 
cases. 

^^You know, Mr. Lawrence,’’ called Lee, ^^the 
boys are coming South next year. I wish you 
all could come, too.” ' 

Thank you. I’m afraid it won’t be possible. 
How far does your car take you?” 

^'To Chicago,” said Scott. ^^Then we’re going 
over the Pennsylvania to New York. Lee, 
though, will leave us at Harrisburg. It’ll be 
hard to have to come down to a common Pullman 
after riding in the ^ Princess.’ ” 

^^Too bad,” laughed Miss Kate. 

^Tome on ! The train is going to start,” called 


HOMEWARD BOUND 


399 


Larcum, quickly. And once more bidding their 
friends adieu, the boys ran to the end of the train, 
for their car was the last in the long line. 

As the rumbling train began to move, the boys 
all stood in the rear of their car and, as long as 
their friends could be seen, called and waved to 
them. When the bend in the road hid them 
from sight, the young travellers entered the car, 
and the long homeward journey was begun. 





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Tom Winstone, “Wide Awake” 

By Martha James Large i 2 mo Illustrated by W. Herbert Dunton $i.oo 

W E have often wished that we could secure a book for boys like the 
undying ones written by J. T. Trowbridge, and in “Tom Win- 
stone” we have a young hero whose story is told in a way well worthy 
to be compared with the work of the older writer referred to. The 
sterling quality shown in “ My Friend Jim” is all here, and “Tom,” an 
older boy, equally efficient in baseball, a foot race, or a noble action, is 
well worth knowing. 

“ Any healthy boy will delight in this book.” — Living Church, Milwaukee, Wis. 

Friend Jim 

A 5tory of Real Boys and for Them 

By Martha James Large i2mo Illus- 
trated by Frank T. Merrill $i.oo 

J UST the book to place in the hands of 
bright, active boys, and one that the 
most careful parents will be glad to use 
for that purpose. The loyal friendship 
springing up between Jim, the son of a me- 
chanic, and a wealthy man’s son who is at 
Sunnyside farm for his health, has made the 
basis for some of the cleanest, brightest, and 
most helpful descriptions of boy life that we 
have ever read. 

” It is a book that boys will like and profit by.” 

—Universalist Leader, Boston. 





J ACK TENFIELD is a bright Boston boy, who, 
while preparing for college, is brought to face 
the fact that his father, a benevolent physi- 


Por sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price 
by the publishers, 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., 805 ^ 0 ^ 


TWO YOUNG INVENTORS 


THE STORY OF THE FLYING BOAT 



By ALVAH MILTON KERR lUus- 
trated $1.25 

H ere is a rattling good story; a tale of 
mystery, mechanism, and getting on in 
the world that will be a boy’s favorite for years. 
Two youths, both born inventors, make each 
other’s acquaintance as a result of misfortunes 
attending a Minnesota cyclone. Their efforts to 
perfect a flying-boat that shall not only skim the 
water, but rise into the air, result in the securing 
of a mechanical education. Mr. Kerr has 
solved the problem of a book that shall be 
intensely exciting and yet thoroughly wholesome. 


“The ing-enuity and pluck of these two worthy heroes supply just the right 
material for the encouragement of ambitious youth.” — Boston Beacon. 

“ The book is full of life, incident, and stirring success.” — Watchmany Boston, 
“ The book is deeply interesting, at times intensely exciting, and yet thoroughly 
clean and wholesome throughout.” — Portland Express. 


YOUNG ntROES OF WIRE AND RAIL 


By ALVAH MILTON KERR Illus- 
trated i2mo Cloth $1.25 

T he place which the sea once held in sup- 
plying thrilling tales of heroism and peril 
is now being largely usurped by that powerful 
agent of progress, the railway service, and with 
no lessening of interest. It is also very attrac- 
tive to know how those who bear the vast 
responsibilities of this service perform their 
work and meet the fearful emergencies that 
may arise at any time. 

“ The tone of the work is healthful and inspiring.” - 
Boston Herald. 

“They are calculated to inspire boys to become manly, and incidentally they 
contain considerable valuable information.” — Newark News. 

“An ideal book for a young boy is ‘Young Heroes of Wire and Rail.’” — 
Episcopal Recorder y Philadelphia. 


For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price 
by the publishers, 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 



THE GREGORY GUARDS 

By Emma Lee Benedict Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill i2mo $1.25 

A YOUNG man of wealth is trustee for a 
fund to help boys and chooses six to pass 
the summer at his home on an island near New 
York. These lads of widely different tempera- 
ments in true boy fashion form a “club,” 
whose highest purpose it is to watch over the 
property and interests of their benefactor, and 
to which they give his name. All profit in great 
measure from a summer that is a turning point in 
their lives. A story of reaping good by doing 
good, bright and entertaining and full of life, 
incident, and good sense. 

“ It is a story aloi.g novel lines, and may be warmly 
commended.” — St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 

THe Youn^ Vigilantes 

A Story of California Life in the Fifties 

By Samuel Adams Drake Illustrated by L. J. 

Bridgman Price $1.25 

F ew men now remain who can describe the 
“Forty-Niners” from personal knowledge 
and experience, and the very best one of them 
is the noted historical writer. Col. Drake. One 
of two young chums in Boston yields to the ex- 
citement of the day and goes to California, partly 
at his friend’s expense. Later, the hero of the story 
is driven by injustice to make his way thither via 
the route across Nicaragua, befriended by an old 
sailor. A reunion and exciting experiences in San 
Francisco follow. 

” The book is a bright, able, and wholesome contribution to the knowledge of 
our country’s progress .” — Religious Telescope^ Dayton^ O. 

Joe’s Signal Code 

By W. Reiff Hesser Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill $1.25 

T his book tells of the abandoning of a fine ship with its cargo in the 
Pacific Ocean. The leading characters, who are to leave in the last 
boat, had their escape cut off by its destruction, but succeed in saving the 
ship and lead a most interesting life for more than a year on a hitherto 
unknown island. 

“ The boys will enjoy it from cover to cover. The book is many degrees above 
the ordinary story.” — American Boy^ Detroit. 

For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price 
by the publishers, 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 




THE 

GREGORY GUARDS 

‘ — EMMA lEE BENEDin 




-Making of Our Nation Series 

By WILLIAM C. SPRAQUB 

Large lamo, Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute 

Price per volume, $1.50 

The Boy Courier of Napoleon 

A Story of the Louisiana Purchase 

W ILLIAM C. SPRAGUE, the notably suc- 
cessful editor of The American Boy,” 
has given for the first time the history 
of the Louisiana Purchase in entertaining story 
form. The hero is introduced as a French 
drummer boy in the great battle of Plohenlinden. 
He serves as a valet to Napoleon and later is 
sent with secret messages to the French in San 
Domingo and in Louisiana. After exciting ad- 
ventures he accomplishes his mission and is 
present at the lowering of the Spanish flag, and 
later at that of the French and the raising of 
the Stars and Stripes. 

“All boys and girls of our country who read this book will be delighted with it, 
as well as benefited by the historical knowledge contained in its pages.” — Lotiis- 
ville^ Ky.y Times. 

“An excellent book for boys, containing just enough history to tnake them hunger 
for more. No praise of this book can be too high.” — To-wn Topics ^ Cleveland, O. 
“This book is one to fascinate every intelligent American boy.” — Buffalo Times. 

The Boy Pathfinder 

A Story of the Oregon Trail 

T his book has as its hero an actual character, 

George Shannon, a Pennsylvania lad, who 
at seventeen left school to become one of 
the Lewis and Clark expedition. He had nar- 
row escapes, but persevered, and the story of 
his wanderings, interwoven with excellent his- 
torical information, makes the highest type of 
general reading for the young. 

“It is a thoroughly good story, full of action and 
adventure and at the same time carrying a bit of real 
history accurately recorded.” — Universalist Leader, 

Boston. 

“It is an excellent book for a boy to read.” — New- 
ark, N. J., Advertiser. 


For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of 
price by the publishers 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 




American Heroes and Heroines 


By Pauline Carrington Bouve Illustrated 
i2mo Cloth $1.25 

T his book, which will tend directly toward 
the making of patriotism in young Americans, 
contains some twenty brief, clever and attractive 
sketches of famous men and women in American 
history, among them Father Marquette, Anne 
Hutchinson, Israel Putnam, Molly Pitcher, Paul 
Jones, Dolly Madison, Daniel Boone, etc. Mrs. 
Bouvd is well known as a writer both of fiction and 
history, and her work in this case is admirable. 

“The style of the book for simplicity and clearness 
of expression could hardly be excelled.” — Boston 
Budget. 

The Scarlet Patch 

The Story of a Patriot Boy in the Mohawk Valley 

By Mary E. Q. Brush Illustrated by George W. Picknell $1.25 
I ’'HE Scarlet Patch’’ was the badge of a Tory organization, and a 
J[ loyal patriot boy, Donald Bastien, is dismayed at learning that his 
uncle, with whom he is a “ bound boy,” is secretly connected with this 
treacherous band. Thrilling scenes follow in which a faithful Indian 
figures prominently, and there is a vivid presentation of the school and 
home life as well as the public affairs of those times. 

“ A book that will be most valuable to the library of the young boy.” — Provi~ 
dence News. 

Stories of Brave Old Times 

Some Pen Pictures of Scenes Which 
Took Place Previous to, or Connected 
With, the American Revolution 

By Helen M. Cleveland Profusely illustra- 
ted Large i2mo Cloth $1.25 

I T is a book for every library, a book for 
adults, and a book for the young. Per- 
haps no other book yet written sets the great 
cost of freedom so clearly before the young, 
consequently is such a spur to patriotism. 

“ It can unqualifiedly be commended as a book for 
youthful readers; its great wealth of illustrations 
adding to its value.” — Chicago News. 


For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price 
by the publishers, 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 




W. 0. STODDARD’5 BOOKS 

12mo Cloth Price per volume, $1.25 

DAN MONROE : A Story of Bunker Hill Illustrated by W. F. Kennedy 
In this volume the hero is one whose name is found in several trust- 
worthy records as the drummer boy of the Lexington militia, his closest 
friend, Nat Harrington, being the fifer. The Concord fight, the Battle of 
Bunker Hill, and the arrival of Washington are introduced as parts of a 
carefully preserved historical outline. 

BONG BRIDGE BOYS Illustrated by I. B. Hazelton 

It tells the story of an actual attempt made by the Confederates of Vir- 
ginia, just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, to seize the city of 
Washington by force of arms, and make prisoners of President Lincoln 
and other high government officials. 

AHEAD OF THE ARMY Illustrated by C. Chase Emerson 

This is a lively narrative of the experiences of an American boy who 
arrives in Mexico as the war with the United States is beginning. 

THE ERRAND BOY OF ANDREW JACKSON : A War Story of 
181/5 Illustrated by Will Crawford 

This tale is of the War of 1812, and describes the events of the only land 
campaign of 1812-1814 which the Americans were entirely successful. 

JACK MORGAN: A Boy of 1813 Illustrated by Will Crawford 

It is the adventures of a boy of the frontier during the great fight that Har- 
rison made on land, and Perry on the lakes for the security of the border. 

THE NOANK’S BOG: A Privateer of the Revolution Illustrated by 
Will Crawford 

The further adventures of the plucky Guert Ten Eyck, as he fought 
King George on land and sea. 

THE DESPATCH BOAT OF THE WHISTBE : A Story of Santiago 

Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill 

A breezy story of a newspaper despatch boat, in the war with Spain. 
GUERT TEN EYCK Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill 

A hero story of real American girls and boys, in the American Revolution. 
THE PARTNERS Illustrated by Albert Scott Cox 

A capital story of a bright, go-ahead country girl and two boys who 
helped her keep store. 

CHUCK PURDY : A New York Boy Illustrated 
A delightful story of boy life in New York City. 

6ID GRANGER: A»Country Boy Illustrated 
A capital story of American life. 


For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers, 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 


George Cary Eggleston’s 
Juveniles 

The Bale Marked Circle X 

A Blockade Running Adventure 

Illustrated by C* Chase Emerson, J2mo, red cloth, illustrated 
cover, $1.50. 

Another of Mr. Eggleston’s stirring books for youth. In 
it are told the adventures of three boy soldiers in the Con- 
federate Service who are sent in a sloop on a secret voyage 
from Charleston to the Bahamas, conveying a strange bale of 
cotton which holds important documents. The boys pass 
through startling adventures : they run the blockade, suffer 
shipwreck, and finally reach their destination after the 
pluckiest kind of effort. 

Camp Venture 

A Story of the Virginia Mountains 

Illustrated by W. A. McCullough. J2mo, dark red cloth, 
illustrated cover, $1.50. 

The Louisville Courier Journal says : “ George Cary Eggles- 
ton has written a decidedly good tale of pluck and adventure 
in ‘ Camp Venture.* It will be of interest to young and old 
who enjoy an exciting story, but there is also a great deal of 
instruction and information in the book.” 

The Last of the Flatboats 

A Story of the Mississippi 

Illustrated by Charlotte Harding. 1 2mo, green cloth, 'illustrated 
cover, $1.50. 

The Brooklyn Eagle says : “ Mr. George Cary Eggleston, 
the veteran editor and author, has scored a double success in 
his new book, ‘The Last of the Flatboats,’ which has just 
been published. Written primarily as a story for young 
readers, it contains many things that are of interest to older 
people. Altogether, it is a mighty good story, and well 
worth reading.” 

Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co,, Boston 


YOUJ^G BEFEJ^DER SEIilES 

By ELBRIDGE S. BROOKS 

IN DEFENCE OF THE FLAG 

A Boy’s Adventures in Spain and Cuba in the 
War of 1898 

Illustrated by W. F. Stecher i2mo Cloth $1.25 

A STORY of action and adventure such as all 
healthy boys like, telling of a plucky young 
American who defended his country’s flag against 
mobs in Spain and foemen in Cuba, and had many 
thrilling experiences. 

“Suffice it to say that he will be a lucky boy, with many a mrill before him, 
who finds this book in his Christmas stocking. Don is a hero after every boy’s 
heart.” — Boston Herald, 

WITH LAWTON AND ROBERTS 

A Boy’s Adventures in the Philippines and the Transvaal 

Illustrated by C. Chase Emerson i2mo Cloth $1.25 

T he stirring adventures of a manly American boy who follows Lawton 
in his last campaigns, and by a singular train of circumstances has 
“moving accidents by flood and field,” in two wars, with American soldiers, 
Filipino insurrectos, Malay pirates, English troopers, and Boer burghers. 

“ Mr. Brooks presents vivid pictures of both wars, so widely separated. His 
pages are full of the swift-moving incidents which boys love. Dull indeed must 
be the young reader whose interest flags.” — Boston Journal. 

UNDER THE ALLIED FLAGS 

A Boy’s Adventures in China During the Boxer 
Revolt 

Illustrated by W. F. Stecher i2mo Cloth $1.25 

T he stirring story of an American boy's adventures in 
Tien Tsin and Pekin, in the ranks of the Interna- 
tional troops and as one of the defenders of the be- 
leaguered legations. Up-to-date, absorbing, and full of 
healthy excitement. Characters who are in the stories 
“ With Lawton and Roberts ” and “ In Defence of the 
Flag ” reappear in this story. 

“ Men and women, boys and girls, of all the mingled nationalities that made 
this war in China so picturesque, appear in the story and give it vigor, variety, and 
unflagging interest.” — Cleveland World. 


For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price 
by the publishers, 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 




SUCCESS BOOKS 

By DR. ORISON SWETT MARDEN 


STEPPING STONES 

X2ino- Red Cloth. Decorative Cover. Illustrated. Price, $1.25 

Dr. Marden’s new volume of essays, “ Stepping Stones,” has the attractive 
qualities made familiar to a large audience of readers by his earlier books. 
At the same time it is entirely new in contents and most helpful and enter- 
taining in character. It contains talks to young people of both sexes full of 
practical value, happy sketches of great characters, salient suggestions on 
deportment and conduct, and shrewd advice of all kinds touching everyday 
living. The author’s wide knowledge of history and literature is used to 
give the essays atmosphere and quality, and no success book ol the series is 
more engaging and wholesome than “ Stepping Stones.” 


HOW THEY SUCCEEDED 

Life Stories of Successful Men told by Themselves 
Z2mo. Red Cloth. Decorative Cover. Illustrated. Price, $1.50 

The author in this book has set down the story of successful men and 
women told by themselves, either in a series of interviews or by semi- 
autobiographical sketches. They make a most entertaining and inspiring 
series of life stories, full of incentive to ambitious youth. 

The Boston Transcript says : ” To the young man who is determined to 
succeed in life, no matter in what direction nis aim may lie, this volume will 
be a direct source of inspiration. It shows that the people ‘ who have got 
there ’ have invariably done so through pluck, perseverance, and principle, 
and not through ‘ pull’ or social position. It emphasizes the fact that suc- 
cess depends wholly and entirely upon the person himself.” 


WINNING OUT 

A Book about Success 

lamo. Red Cloth. Decorative Cover. Gilt Top. Illustrated. Price, $1.00 

Dr. Marden has made for himself a wide reputation by his earlier volumes, 
“Architects of Fate ’’and “Pushing to the Front.” But “ Winning Out,” 
while constructed along somewhat the same lines, is his first book designed 
especially for young readers. Its theme is “ Character Building by Habit 
Forming.” 

The Louisville Courier Journal says : “ Pleasant teaching Dr. Mar- 
den’s anecdotes make. They are of men and things that have actually been 
and happened. The moral is often an epigram, always apropos. Through 
the pages of the small volume pass a procession of figures that have aspired, 
struggled, and achieved. Such work is good for the world, good for the 
youth in it, and for more experienced and serious middle age.” 


LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston 


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